International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination 2017

However, the peaceful demonstration turned violent when the state police opened fire on the protesters. Over 67 South Africans were killed and 186 wounded, with 48 women and children among the casualties. The incident gathered international media attention, and was named the Sharpeville Massacre, which triggered the spark that led to the legal abolition of apartheid system. Sharpeville Massacre is one of the first episodes of insurgence against South Africa's repressive apartheid system. In memory of the lost lives in Sharpeville, the United Nations declared March 21 the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination in 1966.

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Theme: Racial Profiling and Incitement to Hatred, Including in the Context of Migration

Every year, various themes are adopted by the United Nations. The theme for this year's International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination day is "Racial Profiling and Incitement to Hatred."

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, said, "Politics of division and the rhetoric of intolerance are targeting racial, ethnic, linguistic and religious minorities, and migrants and refugees. Words of fear and loathing can, and do, have real consequences."

"States do not have any excuse to allow racism and xenophobia to fester. States have the legal obligation to prohibit and eliminate racial discrimination, to guarantee the right of everyone, no matter their race, color, national or ethnic origin, to equality before the law," said Zeid.

Every individual is entitled to human rights without discrimination. The cornerstones of human rights law are the rights to equality and non-discrimination. However, in many parts of the world, human discriminatory practices are still widespread. Racial, ethnic, religious and nationality based profiling and incitement to hatred are the types of discrimination.

According to a recent report by the Human Rights Council, "Racial and ethnic profiling is defined as a reliance by law enforcement, security and border control personnel on race, color, descent or national or ethnic origin as a basis for subjecting persons to detailed searches, identity checks and investigations, or for determining whether an individual is engaged in criminal activity." The targets of racial profiling and incitement to hatred are the refugees and migrants.

In the New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants adopted in September 2016, The United Nations Member States condemned acts and manifestations of racism, racial discrimination xenophobia and related intolerance against refugees and migrants. The member states committed to a range of steps to stop hate crimes, hate speech and racial violence.

The Summit for Refugees and Migrants in September 2016 led to a United Nations initiative called "Together" to promote respect, safety and dignity for refugees and migrants. The global initiative led by the Secretary-General in partnership with Member States, civil society and the private sector, aims to change negative perceptions and attitudes towards refugees and migrants.

On this International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, the United Nations Human Rights urge people around the world to "Stand up for Someone's Rights Today." People around the world are urged to encourage and supports actions to defend the human rights of others.

References :

1. END RACISM DAY March 21 - (http://www.doonething.org/calendar/endracismday.htm)
2. International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination - (http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/IntDayEliminationofRacialDiscrimination.aspx)
3. International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination 21 March - (http://www.un.org/en/events/racialdiscriminationday/)

Source: Medindia