Demonstration against racism. One of the protesters holds a banner with the inscription “Hatred is a virus.” 60 years of the International Convention on the Elimination of all forms of racial discrimination: the UN is called upon to fight racism Human rights “Racism’s poison” continues to poison our world, said UN Secretary General Antoniu Guterres on the occasion of the International Struggle Day for the elimination of racial discrimination, which is celebrated on March 21. He called racism the “toxic legacy” of slavery, colonialism and discrimination. & Amp; nbsp; The theme of the day this year is the 60th anniversary of the International Convention on the Elimination of all forms of racial discrimination. It was adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1965, which became a revolutionary step in global efforts to eradicate racism. The Convention has become one of the first main international contracts in the field of human rights. 60 > “in this convention, developed against the background of the movements of the 1960s, against apartheid and colonization, specific steps are determined that the countries should be taken to combat racist theories, promoting the assistance mutual understanding and constructing the world free from racial discrimination, ”the Secretary General recalled. ~ 60 >“ On this international day I call for universal ratification of the Convention and to ensure that the states fulfill it in full. And I urgently urge the leaders of enterprises, civil society and ordinary people to oppose racism in all its forms and take measures in order to put into life the plan of the Convention. This is our common cause, ”he added. 60 > International Fighting for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is celebrated annually on the day when the police in Sharpeville, South Africa, opened fire and killed 69 people on a peaceful demonstration against the“ Laws of Passings ”. This happened during the policy of apartheid, March 21, 1960. ~ 60 > apartheid system in South Africa was eliminated in the 1980-1990s. Racist laws and practices were canceled in many countries. The global community has created an international structure to combat racism, guided by the International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. The Convention is currently close to universal ratification.