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World to stand with racially discriminated

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Around the globe, people stand with the people of South Africa to remember those who fought for the freedom of the country.

The 21st of March is not just Human Rights Day in South Africa but also the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

The United Nations proclaimed this day, in 1966 when it called on the international community to redouble its efforts to eliminate all forms of racial discrimination.”

Like South Africa, the day commemorates and remembers all those who died in Sharpeville in 1960 demonstrating against the “pass law” system of the apartheid regime.

In 1979, the General Assembly began activities to combat racism and racial discrimination. This was when the UN decided to host a week of solidarity with the peoples struggling to be held annually in all its States.

The United Nations says ethnic discrimination occurs on a daily basis globally and it has been concerned with this issue since its foundation and the prohibition of racial discrimination is enshrined in all core international human rights instruments.”

This years theme is “Racism and Sport” and was chosen by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to highlight the problem of racism in sports. It says racism in this field remains a disturbing occurrence in many parts of the world.

The UN says that it also aims to highlight the role sports can play in combating racism in communities. They add both sports and human rights share many fundamental values and objectives.

On Thursday, an event at Embekweni Township Hall in Paarl, Western Cape will be held to commemorate Human Rights Day.

According to the Department of Arts and Culture the event will be held in the Western Cape because the province has faced with a number of social and economic challenges in recent months.

The Presidency said that the President Zuma will attempt to highlight these challenges, but also provide leadership on how the country should confront these social ills such as rape and gender violence.

The theme for 2013 is: “united in advancing socio-economic freedom for all”

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