U Thant’s Message For Sharpeville Day

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31943, 21 March 1969, Page 10

U Thant’s Message For Sharpeville Day

(New Zealand Pr»«» Association)

WELLINGTON, March 20.

“Ridding the world of racism and racial discrimination is one of the most urgent tasks of the United Nations,” said the SecretaryGeneral (U Thant) in a message today on the observance of the international day for the elimination of racial discrimination.

Today commemorates an incident in Sharpeville, South Africa, on March 21, 1960, When a peaceful demonstration against racial laws was fired upon and resulted in death and injury. “Ih memory of the sacrifice of these and others who gave up their lives in the struggle for racial equality and the elimination of racial discrimination, the United Nations is constantly endeavouring to Intensify its own rota in that struggle,” U Thant said. He mentioned the creation this year of the international convention on the elimination of racial discrimination and the legal obligations its 27 signatories had assumed.

“I cannot too strongly urge 1 that every eligible State ' should ratify or accede to this convention,” he said. The day provided a special chance to take steps to promote equal opportunities for educational and vocational training and to establish guarantees for the enjoyment of basic human rights without discrimination on grounds of race, colour dr ethnic origin. “This is net a matter for action by governments alone. Scientific Institutes, institutes of learning and intergovernmental organisations of every kind should join in the campaign and work together to eradicate the evils of racial discrimination,” U Thant said.