Each year on March 21st, the global community observes the “International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.” As global migration continues to rise, Taiwan remains committed to building its national foundation on human rights, promoting equality among diverse ethnic communities, and embracing multiculturalism. This day offers a vital opportunity for all sectors in Taiwan to reflect deeply and take concrete steps to eliminate all forms of discrimination.
The origins of this observance trace back to South Africa, where the oppressive apartheid policies led to the tragic Sharpeville Massacre on March 21st, 1960. During this event, police opened fire on peaceful protesters, leading to the deaths of 69 Black South Africans.
In response to this tragic event, the United Nations adopted the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) in 1965. The following year, in November, the UN General Assembly passed a resolution declaring March 21st as the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
The ICERD is the first of the Untied Nations’ nine core international human rights instruments. It emerged from a collective reflection on the devastating of two world wars, leading to a consensus that any form of racial discrimination constitutes a violation of human rights, fuels social unrest, and has the potential to escalate into international conflict, making it one of the gravest threat to global peace.
Recently, there has been significant discussion about India becoming a new source country for migrant workers, which has unfortunately led to misunderstandings and discriminatory remarks directed at Indian migrants.
According to Article 7 of the ICERD, States parties undertake to adopt effective measures, particularly in the fields of teaching, education, culture and information, with a view to combating prejudices which lead to racial discrimination and to promoting understanding, tolerance and friendship among nations and racial or ethnical groups, as well as to propagating the purposes and principles of universal human rights.
The general recommendation No. 35 made by the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, urging States parties should give due attention to all manifestations of racist hate speech and take effective measures to combat them.
Furthermore, starting on April 22nd, 2024, an international review of Taiwan’s inaugural national report under the ICERD will take place. The NHRC has provided independent opinions, urging the government expedite the development of penalties and criteria for determining hate speech and hate acts, as well as establish support measures for victims to prevent the spread of hate speech and racial divisions.
To more proactively combat discrimination, the NHRC recommends that the government enhance educational programs and training, integrate multiculturalism into everyday environments, and promote public awareness and understanding of diverse cultural backgrounds, thereby upholding the principles of international human rights conventions.