Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination facts for kids
The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination is an important international treaty. A treaty is like a big agreement between different countries. This treaty is all about fighting racism and racial segregation. Racial segregation means keeping people apart because of their race. This Convention is part of a group of agreements called international human rights law, which protects everyone's basic rights.
The United Nations (UN) created this Convention. They adopted it on December 21, 1965. This was a response to the unfair apartheid policy in South Africa at that time. Apartheid was a system that kept people of different races separate and unequal. The Convention officially started on January 4, 1969. By April 2019, 88 countries had officially agreed to follow all its rules. Also, 190 countries generally agreed with its ideas.
Contents
What is Racial Discrimination?
The Convention helps everyone agree on what racial discrimination means. This is important so all countries can work together to stop it.
Defining Discrimination (Article 1)
Article 1 is the first main part of the treaty. It explains that racial discrimination is any difference, exclusion, or restriction. This means treating people differently. It can be based on their race, skin color, family background, or where they come from. The goal of this discrimination is to stop people from having their human rights. It also stops them from enjoying basic freedoms. This can happen in politics, money, social life, culture, or any other public area.
How the Convention Fights Racism
The Convention has rules to stop racism and make sure everyone is treated fairly.
Stopping Hate Speech (Article 4)
Article 4 of the Convention says that encouraging any kind of racism is wrong. This includes hate speech. Hate speech is language that attacks a person or group based on things like race. If a country agrees to this Convention, it must make hate speech illegal. It also has to make it illegal to be part of hate groups. These are groups that promote racism.
Making Complaints (Article 14)
To make sure countries follow these rules, the Convention added Article 14. This article allows people to complain if they face discrimination. A person or a group of people can send a complaint to a special UN committee. This is if they have been discriminated against because of their race. These complaints can help change laws in the countries where the people live.
Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
There is a special group that makes sure the Convention is being followed.
Who are the Experts?
The Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is a group of experts. These experts focus on human rights. Their job is to check if countries are following the Convention. There are eighteen independent human rights experts on this Committee. They are chosen for four-year terms. Half of the members are elected every two years. Countries that have joined the treaty vote for these members in a secret ballot. Each country can suggest someone from their own nation to be elected to the Committee.
Country Reports and Meetings
Countries that have joined the treaty must send regular reports to the Committee. These reports explain what laws and actions they have taken. They show how they are making sure the Convention is followed. The first report is due within one year of the Convention starting in that country. After that, reports are due every two years. The Committee carefully reads each report. Then, they discuss any concerns they have. They also give suggestions to the country. These are called "concluding observations." The Committee usually meets in Geneva every March and August.
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