“The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is an opportunity to renew our commitment to building a world of justice and equality where xenophobia and bigotry do not exist. We must learn the lessons of history and acknowledge the profound damage caused by racial discrimination”   (former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon)

Background

The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination commemorates the victims of the Sharpeville massacre of 21 March 1960, in which peaceful demonstrators against apartheid were senselessly killed.  The General Assembly decided that a week of solidarity with the peoples struggling against racism and racial discrimination, beginning on 21 March, would be organized annually in all States.

While this tragic event marked a turning point and ultimately ushered in the transition to democracy and equality in South Africa, the fight against racism continues to this day everywhere. Racial discrimination not only inflicts profound harm on individual victims, but also undermines the very fabric of peaceful and democratic societies.  In far too many places, racial discrimination continues to erode the foundations of peace and security, by fuelling conflict, inequality and injustice.

The 2025 theme of the International Day is “60th anniversary of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms Racial of Discrimination (ICERD)”.

The anniversary gives us a chance to reflect on the progress made in fighting racial discrimination, segregation, and inequality, and to highlight how much more is needed today.

On this day, let us renew our collective commitment to stand against racial discrimination in all its forms. Below are some ways you can be involved:

• Raise awareness of racial discrimination, injustice and hate crime among staff in your organisations and local communities. (Race hate crimes continue to be the highest reported strand of hate crimes in England & Wales accounting for a third ( 98,799) of the 140, 561 reported hate crimes in 2023/24.
• Review your policies, procedures and practices to ensure they are inclusive of all beneficiaries of your service.
• Join in our hate crime awareness session 20^th March 10 -11.30am (to sign up contact the Hate Crime Team) 
• Visit our hate crime information stall on 21^st March to find out reporting options and support services available 10am – 4pm (town hall entrance)
• Become a No Place for Hate Champion (we offer 2 days free training, to register your interest contact the Council’s Hate Crime Team,)
• Reaffirm your commitments to our No Place for Hate Campaign by encouraging staffs, service users, family members and peers to make a united stand against all forms of hate crime by signing the attached Personal Pledge and return to hatecrime@towerhamlets.gov.uk  Alternatively pledges can be completed online at: www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/hatecrime

For more information contact hatecrime@towerhamlets.gov.uk