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

The International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD) is an international treaty adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1965. It is one of the most widely ratified human rights treaties in the world, as it has been ratified by 177 countries, including Colorado. The purpose of CERD is to put an end to and reduce racial discrimination internationally. CERD prohibits discriminatory treatment on the basis of race, color, descent, national or ethnic origin in any area. This includes discriminatory acts such as segregation, discrimination in education, employment, housing and other areas of public life. It also sets out the right to equal treatment before the law and bans any form of propaganda that promotes racial discrimination. The treaty also encourages states to take measures aimed at preventing and eliminating discrimination. This includes strategies such as teaching tolerance and understanding among different cultures. It also encourages affirmative action, which is the proactive taking of measures to ensure the equal representation of protected groups. Additionally, the treaty sets out a mechanism for reporting violations and monitoring compliance. States are required to periodically submit reports on their progress in implementing CERD. They must also submit any communications from individuals alleging violations of the treaty. The CERD Committee, which is made up of independent experts, reviews these reports and communications to ensure that all states are compliant with the treaty.

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

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