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#FightRacism
Learn more about the eight UN Human Rights anti-racism mandates, mechanisms and treaties, including the solutions they offer in fighting racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.
Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
The Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) is the body of independent experts that monitors implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) by its State parties. All State parties are obliged to submit regular reports to the Committee on how the rights are being implemented. States must report every two years. The Committee examines each report and addresses its concerns and recommendations to the State party in the form of “concluding observations”.
Learn more about the convention
See how your country fares in fighting racial discrimination
Ad-Hoc Committee on the elaboration of complementary standards to the ICERD
The Ad-Hoc Committee is mandated to elaborate complementary standards in the form of either a convention or additional protocol(s) to the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD), filling the existing gaps in the Convention; and to provide new normative standards aimed at combating all forms of contemporary racism, including incitement to racial and religious hatred.
It held its first session in February of 2008 and has met annually ever since. The sessions are attended by representatives of Member States, regional groups, national institutions, specialized agencies, and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations.
Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance
The Special Rapporteur transmits urgent appeals and communications to States regarding alleged violations of international human rights law; undertakes fact-finding country visits; and submits reports to the UN Human Rights Council and the General Assembly.
Group of Independent Eminent Experts on the Implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action
The Group of Independent Eminent Experts, composed of five independent experts one from each region, meets yearly to examine progress on the implementation and follow-up to the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action (DDPA).
Intergovernmental Working Group on the effective implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action
The Intergovernmental Working Group is an open-ended working group that makes recommendations regarding the effective implementation of the DDPA. All UN Member and Observer States, inter-governmental organizations, non-governmental organizations with ECOSOC consultative status and non-governmental organizations that were accredited for the World Conference against Racism may attend public meetings of the Working Group.
Permanent Forum on people of African Descent
The Permanent Forum is a consultative mechanism for people of African descent and other relevant stakeholders as a platform for improving the safety and quality of life and livelihoods of people of African descent, as well as an advisory body to the UN Human Rights Council, in line with the programme of activities for the implementation of the International Decade for People of African Descent and in close coordination with existing mechanisms.
Learn more about the International Decade for People of African Descent
Learn more about the Permanent Forum on people of African Descent
Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent
The Working Group was established to study the problems of racial discrimination faced by people of African descent living in the African Diaspora, and to make proposals for the elimination of racial discrimination against people of African descent. It is composed of 5 independent experts and holds two annual sessions; undertakes country visits; responds to information and allegations received concerning its mandate under the Communications procedure; and reports to UN Human Rights Council and the General Assembly.
Expert Mechanism to Advance Racial Justice and Equality in Law Enforcement
The Expert Mechanism has a three-year mandate, within the purview of its mandate, to advance racial justice and equality in the context of law enforcement in all parts of the world by, inter alia, conducting country visits; inclusive outreach and consultations with States, directly affected individuals and communities, and other stakeholders; and taking into account an intersectional approach.
Other relevant resources
- United against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance
- Programme of activities for the implementation of the International Decade for People of African Descent
- International Decade for People of African Descent 2015-2024
- Agenda towards transformative change for racial justice and equality
- See how anti-discrimination helps to support the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development