International
Convention on the
Elimination of All Forms
of Racial Discrimination
The States Parties to this Convention,
Considering that the Charter of the United Nations is based on the principles of the dignity
and equality inherent in all human beings, and that all Member States have pledged
themselves to take joint and separate action, in co-operation with the Organization, for the
achievement of one of the purposes of the United Nations which is to promote and
encourage universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms
for all, without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion,
Considering that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights proclaims that all human beings
are born free and equal in dignity and rights and that everyone is entitled to all the rights
and freedoms set out therein, without distinction of any kind, in particular as to race, colour
or national origin,
Considering that all human beings are equal before the law and are entitled to equal
protection of the law against any discrimination and against any incitement to
discrimination,
Considering that the United Nations has condemned colonialism and all practices of
segregation and discrimination associated therewith, in whatever form and wherever they
exist, and that the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and
Peoples of 14 December 1960 (General Assembly resolution 1514 (XV)) has affirmed and
solemnly proclaimed the necessity of bringing them to a speedy and unconditional end,
Considering that the United Nations Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial
Discrimination of 20 November 1963 (General Assembly resolution 1904 (XVIII)) solemnly
affirms the necessity of speedily eliminating racial discrimination throughout the world in all
its forms and manifestations and of securing understanding of and respect for the dignity of
the human person,
Convinced that any doctrine of superiority based on racial differentiation is scientifically
false, morally condemnable, socially unjust and dangerous, and that there is no justification
for racial discrimination, in theory or in practice, anywhere,
Reaffirming that discrimination between human beings on the grounds of race, color or
ethnic origin is an obstacle to friendly and peaceful relations among nations and is capable
of disturbing peace and security among peoples and the harmony of persons living side by
side even within one and the same State,
Convinced that the existence of racial barriers is repugnant to the ideals of any human
society,
Alarmed by manifestations of racial discrimination still in evidence in some areas of the
world and by governmental policies based on racial superiority or hatred, such as policies of
apartheid, segregation or separation,
Resolved to adopt all necessary measures for speedily eliminating racial discrimination in all
its forms and manifestations, and to prevent and combat racist doctrines and practices in
order to promote understanding between races and to build an international community
free from all forms of racial segregation and racial discrimination,
Bearing in mind the Convention concerning Discrimination in respect of Employment and
Occupation adopted by the International Labour Organisation in 1958, and the Convention
against Discrimination in Education adopted by the United Nations Educational, Scientific
and Cultural Organization in 1960,
Desiring to implement the principles embodied in the United Nations Declaration on the
Elimination of Al l Forms of Racial Discrimination and to secure the earliest adoption of
practical measures to that end,