International Day For The Elimination of Racial Discrimination

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Urvashi Shah

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7 years ago

International Day For The Elimination of Racial Discrimination
Every person on this planet is entitled to basic human rights without discrimination. All human beings are born free with equal dignity and rights. Despite these laws to safeguard our rights, discrimination exists in various parts of the world. The discriminatory practices are widespread all across communities. All the countries have urged to take measures to combat racism, racial discrimination and other forms of intolerance, whilst promoting tolerance, unity and respect for diversity.
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The United Nations thus celebrates Elimination of Racial Discrimination International Day every year on 21st March with a series of events and activities happening worldwide. Anti Racism Day 2018 aims to remind people the negative consequences of racial discrimination. It is also a day to encourage people to recognize their obligation and determination to combat racism.

History Of This Significant Day

The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination was established six years after an event, known as the Sharpeville tragedy or Sharpeville massacre, which managed to catch the attention of the entire world. This event comprised police open firing and killing 69 people at a peaceful demonstration against the apartheid “pass laws” in Sharpeville, South Africa, March 21, 1960.

Soon after that, the UN General Assembly called on the international community to increase its efforts to eradicate all forms of racial discrimination. It also called on all world states and organizations to participate in a program of action to combat racism and racial discrimination in 1983. It also held the World Conference against Racism and Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance in 2001. The UN still continues its work to fight against all forms of racial intolerance.

What People Do On This Day?

On a global scale, various activities and events are arranged, which help young people voice their opinions, find ways to fight and combat racism and racial discrimination and promote tolerance in their communities and lives. Young people also have the option of posting their opinions regarding discussions on human rights and racial discrimination at Voices of Youth, which is UNICEF’s online bulletin board for young people, wherein contributors come from different parts of the world. Other activities include essays, photo projects, and published articles that promote the fight against racial discrimination.

Every country has various policy and guidelines on racism and racial discrimination that works in regards to safeguard its citizens. But here are a few things that we, as individuals can keep in mind to put an end to racism and racial discrimination.

Ways To Combating Racism And Racial Discrimination-

  • Make it mandatory for schools to incorporate the fight against racism and discrimination and bring respect for diversity
  • Human rights education should be offered to children from the very beginning of their school life, in order to make them aware of their basic rights from a young age
  • Teaching should be free from racism
  • Schools must adopt and enforce a code of conduct against racism and discrimination for students and the staff
  • Look out for racist incidents in schools and carry out policies to end them
  • Teachers must be trained to work with students from all sorts of background
  • Tackle any segregation of minority children in schools by preventing them from being placed into separate classes and helping minority children learn the language of instruction
  • Encourage recruitment of teachers from minority groups
  • Ensuring teachers are trained to prevent any manifestations of racism and racial discrimination at school and to react promptly when such incidents come in view

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