Following is the message of Secretary-GeneralKofi Annan on the
International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, which is
observed 21 March:

The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
commemorates the victims of the Sharpeville massacre on 21 March 1960, in
which 69 peaceful demonstrators against apartheid were killed by South
African police forces. That tragedy marked an important watershed in the
fight against racism, but the fight is not yet won.

More than 40 years later, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related
intolerance are still extremely serious problems. Indeed, discrimination is
deeply embedded in the economic, social and political structures of many
societies, and has been among the root causes of a number of violent
conflicts. Members of particular racial or ethnic groups continue to be
more likely to be poor and to have less access to adequate health services
and education than dominant groups. The persistence of old patterns of
racism condemns many people to a life of marginalization and humiliation.
And in the last decade, new manifestations of hatred have emerged.

The United Nations remains at the heart of efforts to address the plight of
migrants, minorities, indigenous peoples, people of African descent and
other victims. Such efforts pay particular attention to education, in order
to inculcate the values of equality, tolerance, diversity and respect for
human rights in all members of society. For this process to be successful,
however, both governments and civil society need to take ownership of it.
Governments should provide clear policy direction by adopting broad
national action plans against racism. This should be complemented by the
efforts of civil society to build inclusive societies, in which diversity
is seen as an asset and not a threat.

On the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, let
us honour all past and present victims by intensifying our efforts to build
a future free of this scourge -- and a world in which equality is a reality
for all.

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United Nations Press release