Be a voice against racial discrimination

21st March is International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

All human beings are born free and all have their human rights but in spite of that there are some discriminations on the basis of race which is known as racial discrimination. It is against human rights and discrimination against individuals on the basis of their skin colour, or racial or ethnic origin. Only people who are discriminated understand the pain they face. Though there have been many changes and racial discrimination has lessened, we cannot mention that there is no racial discrimination on earth.

According to the United Nations Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination  the term "racial discrimination" shall mean any distinction, exclusion, restriction or preference based on race, colour, descent, or national or ethnic origin which has the purpose or effect of nullifying or impairing the recognition, enjoyment or exercise, on an equal footing, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural or any other field of public life.

Whether as descendants of the victims of the transatlantic slave trade or as more recent migrants, people of African descent constitute some of the poorest and most marginalised groups. They still have limited access to quality education, health services, housing and social security and their degree of political participation is often low. In addition, people of African descent can suffer from multiple forms of discrimination based on age, sex, language, religion, political opinion, social origin, property, disability, birth, or other status.

Similarly in other parts of the world similar discrimination can be seen for which global community and international organisation are seriously concerned. The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is observed annually on the day the police in Sharpeville, South Africa, opened fire and killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration against apartheid "pass laws" in 1960.

This year, the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination which is observed on 21st March is focused on the midterm review of the International Decade for People of African Descent undertaken by the Human Rights Council in Geneva as part of its 43rd session. As the Decade approaches its half-way mark in 2020, a review will take stock of the progress made and decide on further necessary actions.

In 1979, the UN General Assembly adopted a programme of activities to be undertaken during the second half of the Decade for Action to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination. On that occasion, the General Assembly decided that a week of solidarity with the peoples struggling against racism and racial discrimination, beginning on 21 March, would be organised annually in all States.

The United Nations General Assembly reiterates that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights and have the potential to contribute constructively to the development and well-being of their societies. In 2001, the World Conference against Racism produced the most authoritative and comprehensive programme for combating racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance: the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action. In April 2009, the Durban Review Conference examined global progress made in overcoming racism and concluded that much remained to be achieved.

As we are in the age of science and technology and market driven economy the terms like racial discrimination does not suit us and we must bring an end to it. Where ever there are different ethnicity there might be problem of discrimination which limits participants of representing certain race. Let us up hold human rights of all human beings irrespective of their race or colour. Let everyone take part in bringing sustainable development for all of us.

Ranjan K Baruah
(With direct inputs from UN publication and feedback may be sent to bkranjan@gmail.com)