Dag Hammarskjöld Library at Uppsala University
Racial Discrimination
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The United Nations affirms the fundamental equality of all persons and, consequently, the phenomenon of racial discrimination has been one of its major areas of attention. The UN Charter is based on the principles of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, without distinction as to race, sex, language, or religion.
The United Nations has developed several instruments to address racial discrimination and has made important advances in the fight against racism.
In 1963, the General Assembly adopted resolution 1904 (XVIII) - United Nations Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. It states that discrimination between human beings on the ground of race, colour or ethnic origin is an offence to human dignity and shall be condemned as a denial of the principles of the Charter and as an obstacle to friendly and peaceful relations among nations and capable of disturbing peace and security among people.
The International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination was adopted in 1965 and entered into force three years later. The State Parties to the Convention undertake to condemn all forms of racial discrimination and to review government, national and local policies and to amend or repeal laws and regulations which create or perpetuate racial discrimination. In accordance with the provisions of the Convention, a committee of experts - the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination was established to monitor its implementation.
Proclaimed by the General Assembly in 1966, the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is observed annually on 21 March.
In 1993, the UN Commission on Human Rights created the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on Contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance to investigate racial discrimination worldwide. This mechanism has now been assumed by the Human Rights Council.
As a landmark in the struggle to eradicate all forms of racism the United Nations World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination and Racial Intolerance was held in Durban, in 1993.
Documentation
International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD).
The Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination carry the following symbols:
CERD/- | Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination |
Ex. CERD/C/63/CO/12 | Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Country report, 63rd session. Concluding observations. Document no. 12 |
The State Parties are obliged to submit reports on the implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination for consideration by the Committee. These State Party Reports are posted under CERD in the Treaty Body Database at the UN official web site, Section Human Rights. Reports in print for earlier years are included in the UN Collection of the Dag Hammarskjöld Library, Uppsala, and the Libraries at UN Headquarters in New York and Geneva.
The Committee reports and comments are posted as Concluding Observations under CERD in the Treaty Body Database.
The official web site of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, under section Human Rights at the UN official web site, provides background information and news, full text reports and documents, conventions and protocols, lists of signatures and ratifications and reporting guidelines and a link to Treaty Body Database.
Documents for recent years from the Special Rapporteur on Contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance are posted at the UN official web site, section Human Rights.
The official web site of the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance provides background information, program and full text documentation.
Yearbook of the United Nations provides an overview of the UN action against racial discrimination. A complete collection of yearbooks is held by the Dag Hammarskjöld Library, Uppsala, and the Libraries at UN Headquarters in New York and Geneva. Since October 2008 the complete full text collection of The United Nations Yearbooks is available online at http://unyearbook.un.org/.
Databases and Indexes
The UN Library online catalogue UNBISnet contains reports, documents and articles related to UN activities linking to full text for recent years. Subject search can be performed using relevant terms from the UNBIS THESAURUS.
Full text documents related to the Convention on the Elimination of All forms of Racial Discrimination can be accessed through the Treaty Body Database, at the UN official web site, section Human Rights.
The reports of the Special Rapporteur on Contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance can be retrieved from the Charter Based Bodies Database at the UN official web site, section Human Rights.
Printed indexes