International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD)

CERD is an international human rights treaty adopted in 1965. The UK ratified (agreed to follow) CERD in 1969.

By ratifying CERD, the UK agrees to take action to eliminate racial discrimination in all its forms, including:

• eradicating racial hatred and incitement to hatred
• taking action to combat prejudices which lead to racial discrimination
• guaranteeing the enjoyment of civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights without discrimination on grounds of race, colour, or national or ethnic origin

How the treaty is monitored

The implementation of CERD is monitored by the United Nations (UN) Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Around every five years, the Committee reviews how well each state is putting into practice the rights in CERD. Find out more about previous review cycles.

Engagement and participation

Civil society organisations and other stakeholders can engage throughout the treaty monitoring cycle. The UN has provided information on how to participate. We produced a guide for civil society with information on how to participate.

We aim to support civil society organisations to understand and engage with the monitoring process. For instance, we may host webinars or roundtable discussions, commission organisations to produce reports on behalf of wider civil society, or provide financial assistance to increase participation in UN oral evidence sessions.

We will commission up to a maximum of one civil society project per cycle. We most recently provided funding to the Runnymede Trust and Race Equality First as part of the current reporting cycle to produce civil society reports for England and Wales.

International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD) treaty cycle

The CERD review cycle is currently at stage 6: Government implements recommendations.

Reporting to the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination takes place under the standard reporting procedure.

The timings given below are estimates and may change, particularly as a result of delays and backlogs at the UN. Timings may also change due to UN plans to move to a predictable eight-year review cycle for all treaty bodies. Deadlines for submission of evidence may be confirmed by the UN at short notice, so stakeholders wishing to submit are advised to prepare in advance.