Marking the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination 

Friday 21 March is the UN International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

It’s an annual event commemorating the date in 1960 that police in Sharpeville, South Africa, opened fire and killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration against apartheid.  

Since 1965, the day has been adopted to mark the struggle to end apartheid in South Africa, but also to call upon the international community to redouble its efforts to eliminate all forms of racial discrimination. 

Reflecting on progress made

The 2025 theme of the International Day is the 60th anniversary of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD)’, celebrating a groundbreaking step in the global effort to eradicate racism. 

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 underpins the ongoing fight against racist ideas and practices, aiming to foster global understanding and unity free from racial segregation. 

The 60th anniversary of ICERD calls for reflection on progress made against racial discrimination while highlighting ongoing challenges. It’s a time to reaffirm our commitment to equality and continue efforts to eliminate racism, ensuring equal treatment for all individuals.

Brighton & Hove’s Anti-Racism Strategy 

Brighton & Hove’s first Anti-Racism Strategy was agreed by councillors at the Tourism, Equality, Culture & Communities Committee on 9 March 2023. 

The development of the 5-year strategy builds on the council’s 2020 pledge to become an anti-racist city, part of which set out a long-term commitment to change. 

The implementation of the strategy will be a critical step in cementing anti-racism principles into how the council works, as a service provider and an employer. 

The strategy sets out three key areas that the council will focus on over the next 5 years: 

  • Community Engagement – Increase and improve communication and engagement with Black and Racially Minoritised residents, service users, customers, and tenants. 
  • Data – Improve the collection, analysis, and application of qualitative, quantitative, and intersectional data regarding Black and racially minoritised residents. 
  • Policy and procedure – Identify, review and co-produce key policies and plans, fixing anti-racism principles firmly into council practice, and co-creating better outcomes for Black and Racially Minoritised people. 

Addressing racial discrimination wherever we find it

Council Leader Bella Sankey said: “The theme of this year’s International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is to reflect on how far we’ve come, and how much further we still need to go. 

“The racist riots that ripped through our country last year cast a dark shadow on progress and serve as a painful reminder of the need for public bodies and officials to redouble efforts to protect communities and foster community cohesion.

“Our pledge to become an anti-racist council means that we are committed to using our resources to challenge racial inequality.  

“That is why we have safeguarded funding for our anti-racism work in schools in next year’s budget and also why we have allocated funding for a civic leadership programme, in conjunction with Operation Black Vote, to support Global Majority residents who are interested in serving as school governors, councillors and other civic roles. 

“As a City of Sanctuary, we are proud to nurture a culture of welcome for newcomers, including those seeking sanctuary from war and persecution.  

“There is still a lot of learning and culture change that is needed, but we are fully committed to addressing racial discrimination wherever we find it, and working with our communities to create a better, fairer and more equal city for future generations.”

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