International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial discrimination in all its forms and manifestations, and to prevent

ons, and to prevent and combat

Discrimination racist doctrines and practices in order to promote understanding between races
and to build an international community free from all forms of racial segregation
Adopted and opened for signature and ratification by General Assembly and racial discrimination,
resolution 2106 (XX) of 21 December 1965entry into force 4 January Bearing in mind the Convention concerning Discrimination in respect of
1969, in accordance with Article 19 Employment and Occupation adopted by the International Labour Organisation
The States Parties to this Convention, in 1958, and the Convention against Discrimination in Education adopted by the
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization in 1960,
Considering that the Charter of the United Nations is based on the principles of Desiring to implement the principles embodied in the United Nations Declaration
the dignity and equality inherent in all human beings, and that all Member on the Elimination of Al l Forms of Racial Discrimination and to secure the
States have pledged themselves to take joint and separate action, in co- earliest adoption of practical measures to that end,
operation with the Organization, for the achievement of one of the purposes of Have agreed as follows:
the United Nations which is to promote and encourage universal respect for and PART I
observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, without
distinction as to race, sex, language or religion, Article 1
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 1. In this Convention, the term "racial discrimination" shall mean any
entitled to all the rights and freedoms set out therein, without distinction of any distinction, exclusion, restriction or preference based on race, colour, descent, or
kind, in particular as to race, colour or national origin, national or ethnic origin which has the purpose or effect of nullifying or
Considering that all human beings are equal before the law and are entitled to impairing the recognition, enjoyment or exercise, on an equal footing, of human
equal protection of the law against any discrimination and against any rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural or
incitement to discrimination, any other field of public life.
Considering that the United Nations has condemned colonialism and all practices
of segregation and discrimination associated therewith, in whatever form and 2. This Convention shall not apply to distinctions, exclusions, restrictions or
wherever they exist, and that the Declaration on the Granting of Independence preferences made by a State Party to this Convention between citizens and non-
to Colonial Countries and Peoples of 14 December 1960 (General Assembly citizens.
resolution 1514 (XV)) has affirmed and solemnly proclaimed the necessity of
bringing them to a speedy and unconditional end,
3. Nothing in this Convention may be interpreted as affecting in any way the
Considering that the United Nations Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms
legal provisions of States Parties concerning nationality, citizenship or
of Racial Discrimination of 20 November 1963 (General Assembly resolution
naturalization, provided that such provisions do not discriminate against any
1904 (XVIII)) solemnly affirms the necessity of speedily eliminating racial
particular nationality.
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 4. Special measures taken for the sole purpose of securing adequate
scientifically false, morally condemnable, socially unjust and dangerous, and advancement of certain racial or ethnic groups or individuals requiring such
that there is no justification for racial discrimination, in theory or in practice, protection as may be necessary in order to ensure such groups or individuals
anywhere, equal enjoyment or exercise of human rights and fundamental freedoms shall
Reaffirming that discrimination between human beings on the grounds of race, not be deemed racial discrimination, provided, however, that such measures do
colour or ethnic origin is an obstacle to friendly and peaceful relations among not, as a consequence, lead to the maintenance of separate rights for different
nations and is capable of disturbing peace and security among peoples and the racial groups and that they shall not be continued after the objectives for which
harmony of persons living side by side even within one and the same State, they were taken have been achieved.
Convinced that the existence of racial barriers is repugnant to the ideals of any
human society, Article 2
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, 1. States Parties condemn racial discrimination and undertake to pursue by all
such as policies of apartheid, segregation or separation, appropriate means and without delay a policy of eliminating racial discrimination
Resolved to adopt all necessary measures for speedily eliminating racial in all its forms and promoting understanding among all races, and, to this end:
(a) Each State Party undertakes to engage in no act or practice of racial (b) Shall declare illegal and prohibit organizations, and also organized and all
discrimination against persons, groups of persons or institutions and to en sure other propaganda activities, which promote and incite racial discrimination, and
that all public authorities and public institutions, national and local, shall act in shall recognize participation in such organizations or activities as an offence
conformity with this obligation; punishable by law;
(b) Each State Party undertakes not to sponsor, defend or support racial
discrimination by any persons or organizations; (c) Shall not permit public authorities or public institutions, national or local, to
(c) Each State Party shall take effective measures to review governmental, promote or incite racial discrimination.
national and local policies, and to amend, rescind or nullify any laws and
regulations which have the effect of creating or perpetuating racial Article 5
discrimination wherever it exists;
(d) Each State Party shall prohibit and bring to an end, by all appropriate
In compliance with the fundamental obligations laid down in article 2 of this
means, including legislation as required by circumstances, racial discrimination
Convention, States Parties undertake to prohibit and to eliminate racial
by any persons, group or organization;
discrimination in all its forms and to guarantee the right of everyone, without
(e) Each State Party undertakes to encourage, where appropriate, integrationist
distinction as to race, colour, or national or ethnic origin, to equality before the
multiracial organizations and movements and other means of eliminating
law, notably in the enjoyment of the following rights:
barriers between races, and to discourage anything which tends to strengthen
racial division.
2. States Parties shall, when the circumstances so warrant, take, in the social, (a) The right to equal treatment before the tribunals and all other organs
economic, cultural and other fields, special and concrete measures to ensure the administering justice;
adequate development and protection of certain racial groups or individuals
belonging to them, for the purpose of guaranteeing them the full and equal (b) The right to security of person and protection by the State against violence
enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms. These measures shall in or bodily harm, whether inflicted by government officials or by any individual
no case en tail as a con sequence the maintenance of unequal or separate rights group or institution;
for different racial groups after the objectives for which they were taken have
been achieved. (c) Political rights, in particular the right to participate in elections-to vote and
Article 3 to stand for election-on the basis of universal and equal suffrage, to take part in
the Government as well as in the conduct of public affairs at any level and to
States Parties particularly condemn racial segregation and apartheid and have equal access to public service;
undertake to prevent, prohibit and eradicate all practices of this nature in
territories under their jurisdiction. (d) Other civil rights, in particular:

Article 4 (i) The right to freedom of movement and residence within the border of the
State;
States Parties condemn all propaganda and all organizations which are based on
ideas or theories of superiority of one race or group of persons of one colour or (ii) The right to leave any country, including one's own, and to return to one's
ethnic origin, or which attempt to justify or promote racial hatred and country;
discrimination in any form, and undertake to adopt immediate and positive
measures designed to eradicate all incitement to, or acts of, such discrimination (iii) The right to nationality;
and, to this end, with due regard to the principles embodied in the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights and the rights expressly set forth in article 5 of this
(iv) The right to marriage and choice of spouse;
Convention, inter alia:

(v) The right to own property alone as well as in association with others;
(a) Shall declare an offence punishable by law all dissemination of ideas based
on racial superiority or hatred, incitement to racial discrimination, as well as all
acts of violence or incitement to such acts against any race or group of persons (vi) The right to inherit;
of another colour or ethnic origin, and also the provision of any assistance to
racist activities, including the financing thereof; (vii) The right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion;
(viii) The right to freedom of opinion and expression; 1. There shall be established a Committee on the Elimination of Racial
Discrimination (hereinafter referred to as the Committee) consisting of eighteen
(ix) The right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association; experts of high moral standing and acknowledged impartiality elected by States
Parties from among their nationals, who shall serve in their personal capacity,
(e) Economic, social and cultural rights, in particular: consideration being given to equitable geographical distribution and to the
representation of the different forms of civilization as well as of the principal
legal systems.
(i) The rights to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favourable
2. The members of the Committee shall be elected by secret ballot from a list of
conditions of work, to protection against unemployment, to equal pay for equal
persons nominated by the States Parties. Each State Party may nominate one
work, to just and favourable remuneration;
person from among its own nationals.
3. The initial election shall be held six months after the date of the entry into
(ii) The right to form and join trade unions; force of this Convention. At least three months before the date of each election
the Secretary-General of the United Nations shall address a letter to the States
(iii) The right to housing; Parties inviting them to submit their nominations within two months. The
Secretary-General shall prepare a list in alphabetical order of all persons thus
(iv) The right to public health, medical care, social security and social services; nominated, indicating the States Parties which have nominated them, and shall
submit it to the States Parties.
(v) The right to education and training; 4. Elections of the members of the Committee shall be held at a meeting of
States Parties convened by the Secretary-General at United Nations
Headquarters. At that meeting, for which two thirds of the States Parties shall
(vi) The right to equal participation in cultural activities;
constitute a quorum, the persons elected to the Committee shall be nominees
who obtain the largest number of votes and an absolute majority of the votes of
(f) The right of access to any place or service intended for use by the general the representatives of States Parties present and voting.
public, such as transport hotels, restaurants, cafes, theatres and parks. 5.
Article 6 (a) The members of the Committee shall be elected for a term of four years.
However, the terms of nine of the members elected at the first election shall
States Parties shall assure to everyone within their jurisdiction effective expire at the end of two years; immediately after the first election the names of
protection and remedies, through the competent national tribunals and other these nine members shall be chosen by lot by the Chairman of the Committee;
State institutions, against any acts of racial discrimination which violate his (b) For the filling of casual vacancies, the State Party whose expert has ceased
human rights and fundamental freedoms contrary to this Convention, as well as to function as a member of the Committee shall appoint another expert from
the right to seek from such tribunals just and adequate reparation or among its nationals, subject to the approval of the Committee.
satisfaction for any damage suffered as a result of such discrimination. 6. States Parties shall be responsible for the expenses of the members of the
Committee while they are in performance of Committee duties.
Article 7 Article 9

States Parties undertake to adopt immediate and effective measures, 1. States Parties undertake to submit to the Secretary-General of the United
particularly in the fields of teaching, education, culture and information, with a Nations, for consideration by the Committee, a report on the legislative, judicial,
view to combating prejudices which lead to racial discrimination and to administrative or other measures which they have adopted and which give effect
promoting understanding, tolerance and friendship among nations and racial or to the provisions of this Convention: (a) within one year after the entry into
ethnical groups, as well as to propagating the purposes and principles of the force of the Convention for the State concerned; and
Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the
United Nations Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial (b) thereafter every two years and whenever the Committee so requests. The
Discrimination, and this Convention. Committee may request further information from the States Parties.

PART II 2. The Committee shall report annually, through the Secretary General, to the
General Assembly of the United Nations on its activities and may make
Article 8 suggestions and general recommendations based on the examination of the
reports and information received from the States Parties. Such suggestions and elected by secret ballot by a two-thirds majority vote of the Committee from
general recommendations shall be reported to the General Assembly together among its own members.
with comments, if any, from States Parties. 2. The members of the Commission shall serve in their personal capacity. They
Article 10 shall not be nationals of the States parties to the dispute or of a State not Party
to this Convention.
1. The Committee shall adopt its own rules of procedure. 3. The Commission shall elect its own Chairman and adopt its own rules of
2. The Committee shall elect its officers for a term of two years. procedure.
3. The secretariat of the Committee shall be provided by the Secretary General 4. The meetings of the Commission shall normally be held at United Nations
of the United Nations. Headquarters or at any other convenient place as determined by the
4. The meetings of the Committee shall normally be held at United Nations Commission.
Headquarters. 5. The secretariat provided in accordance with article 10, paragraph 3, of this
Article 11 Convention shall also service the Commission whenever a dispute among States
Parties brings the Commission into being.
1. If a State Party considers that another State Party is not giving effect to the 6. The States parties to the dispute shall share equally all the expenses of the
provisions of this Convention, it may bring the matter to the attention of the members of the Commission in accordance with estimates to be provided by the
Committee. The Committee shall then transmit the communication to the State Secretary-General of the United Nations.
Party concerned. Within three months, the receiving State shall submit to the 7. The Secretary-General shall be empowered to pay the expenses of the
Committee written explanations or statements clarifying the matter and the members of the Commission, if necessary, before reimbursement by the States
remedy, if any, that may have been taken by that State. parties to the dispute in accordance with paragraph 6 of this article.
2. If the matter is not adjusted to the satisfaction of both parties, either by 8. The information obtained and collated by the Committee shall be made
bilateral negotiations or by any other procedure open to them, within six months available to the Commission, and the Commission may call upon the States
after the receipt by the receiving State of the initial communication, either State concerned to supply any other relevant information.
shall have the right to refer the matter again to the Committee by notifying the Article 13
Committee and also the other State.
3. The Committee shall deal with a matter referred to it in accordance with 1. When the Commission has fully considered the matter, it shall prepare and
paragraph 2 of this article after it has ascertained that all available domestic submit to the Chairman of the Committee a report embodying its findings on all
remedies have been invoked and exhausted in the case, in conformity with the questions of fact relevant to the issue between the parties and containing such
generally recognized principles of international law. This shall not be the rule recommendations as it may think proper for the amicable solution of the
where the application of the remedies is unreasonably prolonged. dispute.
4. In any matter referred to it, the Committee may call upon the States Parties 2. The Chairman of the Committee shall communicate the report of the
concerned to supply any other relevant information. Commission to each of the States parties to the dispute. These States shall,
5. When any matter arising out of this article is being considered by the within three months, inform the Chairman of the Committee whether or not they
Committee, the States Parties concerned shall be entitled to send a accept the recommendations contained in the report of the Commission.
representative to take part in the proceedings of the Committee, without voting 3. After the period provided for in paragraph 2 of this article, the Chairman of
rights, while the matter is under consideration. the Committee shall communicate the report of the Commission and the
Article 12 declarations of the States Parties concerned to the other States Parties to this
Convention.
1. (a) After the Committee has obtained and collated all the information it Article 14
deems necessary, the Chairman shall appoint an ad hoc Conciliation Commission
(hereinafter referred to as the Commission) comprising five persons who may or 1. A State Party may at any time declare that it recognizes the competence of
may not be members of the Committee. The members of the Commission shall the Committee to receive and consider communications from individuals or
be appointed with the unanimous consent of the parties to the dispute, and its groups of individuals within its jurisdiction claiming to be victims of a violation
good offices shall be made available to the States concerned with a view to an by that State Party of any of the rights set forth in this Convention. No
amicable solution of the matter on the basis of respect for this Convention; communication shall be received by the Committee if it concerns a State Party
(b) If the States parties to the dispute fail to reach agreement within three which has not made such a declaration.
months on all or part of the composition of the Commission, the members of the 2. Any State Party which makes a declaration as provided for in paragraph I of
Commission not agreed upon by the States parties to the dispute shall be this article may establish or indicate a body within its national legal order which
shall be competent to receive and consider petitions from individuals and groups Assembly resolution 1514 (XV) of 14 December 1960, the provisions of this
of individuals within its jurisdiction who claim to be victims of a violation of any Convention shall in no way limit the right of petition granted to these peoples by
of the rights set forth in this Convention and who have exhausted other other international instruments or by the United Nations and its specialized
available local remedies. agencies.
3. A declaration made in accordance with paragraph 1 of this article and the 2.
name of any body established or indicated in accordance with paragraph 2 of (a) The Committee established under article 8, paragraph 1, of this Convention
this article shall be deposited by the State Party concerned with the Secretary- shall receive copies of the petitions from, and submit expressions of opinion and
General of the United Nations, who shall transmit copies thereof to the other recommendations on these petitions to, the bodies of the United Nations which
States Parties. A declaration may be withdrawn at any time by notification to the deal with matters directly related to the principles and objectives of this
Secretary-General, but such a withdrawal shall not affect communications Convention in their consideration of petitions from the inhabitants of Trust and
pending before the Committee. Non-Self-Governing Territories and all other territories to which General
4. A register of petitions shall be kept by the body established or indicated in Assembly resolution 1514 (XV) applies, relating to matters covered by this
accordance with paragraph 2 of this article, and certified copies of the register Convention which are before these bodies;
shall be filed annually through appropriate channels with the Secretary-General (b) The Committee shall receive from the competent bodies of the United
on the understanding that the contents shall not be publicly disclosed. Nations copies of the reports concerning the legislative, judicial, administrative
5. In the event of failure to obtain satisfaction from the body established or or other measures directly related to the principles and objectives of this
indicated in accordance with paragraph 2 of this article, the petitioner shall have Convention applied by the administering Powers within the Territories mentioned
the right to communicate the matter to the Committee within six months. in subparagraph (a) of this paragraph, and shall express opinions and make
6. recommendations to these bodies.
(a) The Committee shall confidentially bring any communication referred to it to 3. The Committee shall include in its report to the General Assembly a summary
the attention of the State Party alleged to be violating any provision of this of the petitions and reports it has received from United Nations bodies, and the
Convention, but the identity of the individual or groups of individuals concerned expressions of opinion and recommendations of the Committee relating to the
shall not be revealed without his or their express consent. The Committee shall said petitions and reports.
not receive anonymous communications; 4. The Committee shall request from the Secretary-General of the United
(b) Within three months, the receiving State shall submit to the Committee Nations all information relevant to the objectives of this Convention and
written explanations or statements clarifying the matter and the remedy, if any, available to him regarding the Territories mentioned in paragraph 2 (a) of this
that may have been taken by that State. article.
7. Article 16
(a) The Committee shall consider communications in the light of all information
made available to it by the State Party concerned and by the petitioner. The The provisions of this Convention concerning the settlement of disputes or
Committee shall not consider any communication from a petitioner unless it has complaints shall be applied without prejudice to other procedures for settling
ascertained that the petitioner has exhausted all available domestic remedies. disputes or complaints in the field of discrimination laid down in the constituent
However, this shall not be the rule where the application of the remedies is instruments of, or conventions adopted by, the United Nations and its
unreasonably prolonged; specialized agencies, and shall not prevent the States Parties from having
(b) The Committee shall forward its suggestions and recommendations, if any, recourse to other procedures for settling a dispute in accordance with general or
to the State Party concerned and to the petitioner. special international agreements in force between them.
8. The Committee shall include in its annual report a summary of such PART III
communications and, where appropriate, a summary of the explanations and
statements of the States Parties concerned and of its own suggestions and Article 17
recommendations.
9. The Committee shall be competent to exercise the functions provided for in
1. This Convention is open for signature by any State Member of the United
this article only when at least ten States Parties to this Convention are bound by
Nations or member of any of its specialized agencies, by any State Party to the
declarations in accordance with paragraph I of this article.
Statute of the International Court of Justice, and by any other State which has
Article 15
been invited by the General Assembly of the United Nations to become a Party
to this Convention.
1 . Pending the achievement of the objectives of the Declaration on the Granting 2. This Convention is subject to ratification. Instruments of ratification shall be
of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, contained in General deposited with the Secretary-General of the United Nations.
Article 18 Any dispute between two or more States Parties with respect to the
interpretation or application of this Convention, which is not settled by
1. This Convention shall be open to accession by any State referred to in article negotiation or by the procedures expressly provided for in this Convention,
17, paragraph 1, of the Convention. 2. Accession shall be effected by the shall, at the request of any of the parties to the dispute, be referred to the
deposit of an instrument of accession with the Secretary-General of the United International Court of Justice for decision, unless the disputants agree to
Nations. another mode of settlement.
Article 19 Article 23

1. This Convention shall enter into force on the thirtieth day after the date of the 1. A request for the revision of this Convention may be made at any time by any
deposit with the Secretary-General of the United Nations of the twenty-seventh State Party by means of a notification in writing addressed to the Secretary-
instrument of ratification or instrument of accession. General of the United Nations.
2. For each State ratifying this Convention or acceding to it after the deposit of 2. The General Assembly of the United Nations shall decide upon the steps, if
the twenty-seventh instrument of ratification or instrument of accession, the any, to be taken in respect of such a request.
Convention shall enter into force on the thirtieth day after the date of the Article 24
deposit of its own instrument of ratification or instrument of accession.
Article 20 The Secretary-General of the United Nations shall inform all States referred to in
article 17, paragraph 1, of this Convention of the following particulars:
1. The Secretary-General of the United Nations shall receive and circulate to all
States which are or may become Parties to this Convention reservations made (a) Signatures, ratifications and accessions under articles 17 and 18;
by States at the time of ratification or accession. Any State which objects to the
reservation shall, within a period of ninety days from the date of the said (b) The date of entry into force of this Convention under article 19;
communication, notify the Secretary-General that it does not accept it.
2. A reservation incompatible with the object and purpose of this Convention (c) Communications and declarations received under articles 14, 20 and 23;
shall not be permitted, nor shall a reservation the effect of which would inhibit
the operation of any of the bodies established by this Convention be allowed. A
(d) Denunciations under article 21.
reservation shall be considered incompatible or inhibitive if at least two thirds of
the States Parties to this Convention object to it.
3. Reservations may be withdrawn at any time by notification to this effect Article 25
addressed to the Secretary-General. Such notification shall take effect on the
date on which it is received. 1. This Convention, of which the Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish
Article 21 texts are equally authentic, shall be deposited in the archives of the United
Nations.
A State Party may denounce this Convention by written notification to the 2. The Secretary-General of the United Nations shall transmit certified copies of
Secretary-General of the United Nations. Denunciation shall take effect one year this Convention to all States belonging to any of the categories mentioned in
after the date of receipt of the notification by the Secretary General. article 17, paragraph 1, of the Convention.
Article 22