UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (UNCERD)

About UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (UNCERD)

• UNCERD is a United Nations treaty body that monitors the implementation of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD).
  • It is not a principal organ of the United Nations or a judicial court.
• Establishment: It was established under ICERD, which was adopted in 1965 and entered into force in 1969.
• Composition: The Committee consists of 18 independent experts who serve in their personal capacity and not as representatives of governments.
• Aim: It aims to ensure that States Parties fulfil their obligations to prohibit and eliminate racial discrimination and promote racial harmony and equality before law.
• Key Functions:
  • Periodic Review: States Parties submit periodic reports, which the Committee examines to monitor the implementation of ICERD.
  • Concluding Observations: It issues observations and recommendations after examining State reports and interacting with their delegations.
  • Early Warning and Urgent Action: It monitors developing tensions to prevent them from escalating into racial or ethnic conflict.
  • Complaint Procedures: It can examine inter-State disputes and individual communications where a State has recognised its competence.
• India’s Status:
  • State Party: India signed ICERD in 1967 and ratified it in 1968.
    • It also played a leading role in negotiating and drafting the Convention.
  • Recent Review: India participated in its 11th periodic review in Geneva on August 11 and 12, 2026.
  • Committee’s Concerns: The Committee raised concerns about reported violations against ethnic and ethno-religious groups, Indigenous and Tribal Peoples, Scheduled Tribes, Scheduled Castes, migrants and asylum-seekers.
    • It also highlighted issues related to law enforcement actions, racial profiling, arbitrary detention, deportation, hate speech and hate crimes.
  • India’s Response: India rejected the Committee’s observations and references, describing them as politically motivated and malicious.
    • It stated that the observations contained sweeping generalisations and unsubstantiated allegations and went beyond the mandate of the Convention.