Elimination of all forms of racial discrimination

XXV. RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED ON THE REPORTS OF THE THIRD COMMITTEE
2647. Elimination of all forms of racial discrimination

The General Assembly, Recalling that Member States pledged themselves solemnly under Article I of the Charter of the United Nations to promote and encourage respect for human rights and for fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion, Gravely concerned at the persistence of apartheid and other forms of racial discrimination, which are an intolerable affront to the dignity of the individual, Noting that disregard for fundamental human rights and manifestations of hostility or intolerance towards any race or distinct group of persons may create lasting antagonisms and deep unrest in society, aggravated by the existence of conditions of economic and social inequality, Aware that discriminatory prejudices must be combated and eliminated by means of education and information as well as by the adoption of positive legislative or other measures designed to bring about a climate of understanding and cooperation among the various ethnic and cultural groups of society, Convinced that the International Year for Action to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination, which the General Assembly has proclaimed for the year 1971, will not achieve its objective unless effective measures are taken in all fields to combat attitudes and laws contrary to the principles of the Charter and the norms of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Welcoming the entry into force of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and noting with satisfaction the first report of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination,[1]

1. Solemnly reiterates its condemnation of all forms of racial discrimination wherever they may occur, and particularly of apartheid, as a flagrant contradiction of the spirit and the letter of the Charter of the United Nations and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and deplores the persistence of such practices;

2. Appeals to the Governments of countries where forms of racial discrimination still persist and to the Governments which officially apply such policies as apartheid to take without delay all the legislative, educational and social measures necessary to end them and to ensure respect for human rights in accordance with the Charter;

3. Vehemently affirms the need for all men to be given an equal chance and to be enabled to live and work together in an atmosphere of mutual trust and tolerance, without discrimination and with full respect for the national and cultural identity of peoples or distinct ethnic groups;

4. Urges Member States to do their utmost to eliminate all racial discrimination in education, employment, housing and other fields of community life, and to encourage the development of multiracial activities with a view to removing obstacles to understanding among the various racial groups;

5. Invites all peoples of the world and all men of goodwill to condemn unrelentingly the evils of racial policies and to disseminate all information calculated to combat such policies;

6. Invites countries which are not yet parties to the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination to take any steps necessary to ratify it or accede to it if possible in 1971, on the occasion of the International Year for Action to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination;

7. Emphasizes the importance of the work being done by the United Nations, in particular the Commission on Human Rights and the Sub Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities, and by the specialized agencies, including the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and the International Labour Organisation, and the non-governmental organizations associated with their efforts towards the elimination of all forms of racial discrimination;

8. Reaffirms its intention to take the opportunity of the International Year for Action to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination to promote throughout the world social justice based on absolute respect for the dignity of the individual.

1915th plenary meeting,
30 November 1970.

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[1] Official Records of the General Assembly, Twenty-fifth Session, Supplement No. 27 (A/8027)