Say no to racism. Say yes to democracy and equality. There cannot be a democratic functioning without racial justice. Democracy at work, at global level, and at the level of international institions and their functioning is imperative.
Working people are denied their rights by discriminating them on racial grounds or on the ground of their nationality, colour or cultural background. So are the migrants sorted out or rejected by rich nations. We notice disparities in wage structure, social protection, health facilities, recruitment, promotion etc. We also notice anti-migrant and anti-refugee attitudes and sentiments.
Human rights agencies are calling for “a New Social Contract that secures jobs, rights, just wages, universal social protection, equality and inclusion for all workers with no exceptions.”
The 2024 theme of the International Day is “A Decade of Recognition, Justice, and Development: Implementation of the International Decade for People of African Descent”.
21 March reminds the world of the horrific tragedy played out in 1960 in Sharpeville, South Africa, when the racist police, under apartheid regime, opened fire and killed 69 people. The victims were peacefully demonstrating against the apartheid ‘pass laws’.
It is estimated that around 200 million people of African descent are said to be living in the Americas. Many more millions are spread out in other countries. All of the stll fight for equal rights, equal legislations, human living conditions and humane ways of treatment.
Even within Asian countires and democratic nations internal racism is rampant. People and communities are ill-treated or discriminated against owing to their descent, colour, community or religion.
Discriminatory citizenship laws and rules are implemented by rightwing governments. They flout democratic norms and human and fundamental rights.
Rightful resistance is building up against such inhuman treatment.
