On March 21 1960 police killed 69 people who were peacefully demonstrating against apartheid “pass laws” in Sharpeville, South Africa. On that day, 7,000 people gathered at the demonstration to protest against “pass laws” which required all colored Africans to carry a Pass Book, in order to monitor their whereabouts. United Nations in 1966 in remembrance to this tragic event pronounced March 21 International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
UNITED for Intercultural Network (http://www.unitedagainstracism.org) is an umbrella organizations that connects European organizations dealing with racism, anti-fascism and immigration, coordinates the activities Europe wide to mark this date. From March 14 to March 22 they will coordinate the activities within European wide Action Week Against racism.
According to the United Nations Convention 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”.