Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

Description

CERD is a United Nations body of independent experts that monitors the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.

States that have ratified the Convention must submit periodic reports on the measures they take against racial discrimination. The Committee reviews these reports, adopts concluding observations, and can consider individual complaints and inter-state communications. It also issues general recommendations that interpret the Convention’s provisions and addresses early-warning situations of racial tension.

The Committee is based in Geneva and meets in regular sessions each year to review state reports and adopt general recommendations. To date 182 states have ratified the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.

Non-governmental organizations and civil society can submit information, comment on state reports and attend sessions as observers. The Committee works alongside other United Nations bodies addressing racism, including the Special Rapporteur on Racism and the Working Group on People of African Descent.