Friday, 21 March 2025 {HMC} Marking the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, the United Nations in Somalia today reaffirmed its support and commitment in promoting equality, dignity and respect for all.
“Racial discrimination has no place in any society. It undermines peace, security, justice and social progress. It is a violation of human rights that tears at individuals and cuts the social fabric of society, and we must all unite and work together to eradicate it,” said the UN Acting Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Somalia, James Swan.
“On this important day, we call on everyone to reflect on the values of respect and solidarity, to take action against racism in all its forms, and to focus on what can be achieved through our collective effort to create societies where everyone enjoys equality and justice,” he added.
In Somalia, the United Nations works with the Federal Government, civil society organizations and international partners to promote an inclusive and respectful society, in which everyone can thrive, feel safe and express themselves freely, thus contributing meaningfully to the success of the country.
This year’s observance also marks the 60th anniversary of the adoption of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD), which remains a cornerstone in the global fight against racial discrimination and promoting equality – and which Somalia ratified in 1975.
As the first of the UN’s core international human rights treaties, ICERD set the stage for future human rights advancements. Its commitment to eliminating racial discrimination and promoting equality fosters the promotion of global understanding and unity free from racial segregation.
The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is observed annually on the day the police in Sharpeville, South Africa, opened fire and killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration against apartheid ‘pass laws’ in 1960.
