Tomorrow, 21 March is the International Day against Racial Discrimination that is observed annually all over the world. This year’s International Day for the Elimination of Racial discrimination is dedicated to the fight against racial discrimination in sports. It is in view of Football World Cup being held in South Africa, first time ever in the African continent. The United Nations has called upon all nations to carry out tough policies and legislation against racial discrimination and punish those who resort to racial discrimination and violence.
In the year 1960, on 21 March, police opened fire and killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration in Sharpeville, South Africa. The demonstration was against racial discrimination called ‘apartheid’ that was being practised by the white-majority government against the coloured people of South Africa. In 1966 the United Nations declared the day as the International Day against Racial Discrimination and urged all countries in the world to increase their efforts towards the complete elimination of racial discrimination.
International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination under the watchful eyes of the United Nations came into force on 4 January 1969. All signatory nations have to take adequate steps to make sure that racial discrimination is eliminated to the fullest in their nation.
Though racial discrimination is not that prevalent today as it was in the past, it still exists in different parts of the world taking different forms. Recent spate of violence against Indians in Australia is a manifestation of racial discrimination and racial violence. Racial discrimination is also widespread in the conflict-struck nations of the African continent. Reverse racism is a present day problem in South Africa where discrimination is noticeable against the white minority. Racist violence is prevalent in all countries in the world and is a matter of grave concern for democratic governments and human rights organisations all around the world.
The spread of racism and xenophobia in the online community through social media networks is one of the foremost challenges we face. Human rights watchdog agencies have recommended governments all over the world to review existing legislations and to take adequate steps to control the spread of racist views in the online community. We all need to be vigilant against the spread of racist ideas, racial discrimination and racism related violence around us and should voice our protests against it.
In the year 1960, on 21 March, police opened fire and killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration in Sharpeville, South Africa. The demonstration was against racial discrimination called ‘apartheid’ that was being practised by the white-majority government against the coloured people of South Africa. In 1966 the United Nations declared the day as the International Day against Racial Discrimination and urged all countries in the world to increase their efforts towards the complete elimination of racial discrimination.
International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination under the watchful eyes of the United Nations came into force on 4 January 1969. All signatory nations have to take adequate steps to make sure that racial discrimination is eliminated to the fullest in their nation.
Though racial discrimination is not that prevalent today as it was in the past, it still exists in different parts of the world taking different forms. Recent spate of violence against Indians in Australia is a manifestation of racial discrimination and racial violence. Racial discrimination is also widespread in the conflict-struck nations of the African continent. Reverse racism is a present day problem in South Africa where discrimination is noticeable against the white minority. Racist violence is prevalent in all countries in the world and is a matter of grave concern for democratic governments and human rights organisations all around the world.
The spread of racism and xenophobia in the online community through social media networks is one of the foremost challenges we face. Human rights watchdog agencies have recommended governments all over the world to review existing legislations and to take adequate steps to control the spread of racist views in the online community. We all need to be vigilant against the spread of racist ideas, racial discrimination and racism related violence around us and should voice our protests against it.
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