What is the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination?

The International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD) is an international treaty committed to the elimination of all forms of racial discrimination. The Convention was adopted in 1965 and came into force in 1969. The Convention calls on states to practice racial equality as well as to take legal, administrative, and other measures to eradicate racial discrimination. In Pennsylvania, both state and federal laws protect citizens from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, and disability. CERD amplifies these rights, and states that no person should experience discrimination based on their race. CERD works to protect individuals in all aspects of life; including the right to enjoy their culture, the right to have access to public services, the right to be protected from violence or hatred because of their race, and the right to work. CERD encourages states to set up legal protections, public education campaigns, advocacy, and organizational campaigns to end racism in all its forms. Additionally, CERD provides a platform for individuals to take action against discrimination, as any individual can file a complaint with the UN Human Rights Council. This complaint could be about an allegation of a violation of rights outlined in the Convention. In the US, the state of Pennsylvania has made an effort to ensure its citizens are protected from racial discrimination. Organizations such as the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, the Pennsylvania Department of Education, and the Pennsylvania Department of Civil Liberties work together to ensure that the state is upholding its commitments under the Convention.

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What is the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination?

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