---

International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
⬧ International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is observed every year on 21 March with the aim of calling for solidarity against racism and racial discrimination.
⬧ In October, 1966, the United Nations General Assembly declared March 21 to be observed as 'International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination'.
⬧ On March 21, 1960, police opened fire in Sharpeville, South Africa during a peaceful demonstration against apartheid legislation, killing 69 people.
⬧ Apartheid was a policy that controlled the relationship between the 'white' minority and the 'black' majority of South Africa.
⬧ This policy sanctioned racial segregation and political and economic discrimination against the 'black' majority.
⬧ The theme of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination 2023 focuses on the urgency of tackling racism and racial discrimination 75 years after the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).
⬧ Racism refers to the belief that human beings can be divided into separate and distinct biological units called 'races'; According to this belief, there is a correlation between inherited physical characteristics and traits of personality, intelligence, morality, and other cultural and behavioural characteristics, and that certain 'races' are superior to others.
⬧ Articles 15, 16 and 29 of the Indian Constitution prohibit discrimination on the grounds of 'race', 'religion' and 'caste'.
⬧ India had ratified the 'International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination' (ICERD) in the year 1968.

---