Maynooth University National University of Ireland Maynooth School of Law & Criminology | 2022/23 LW498 Dr. John Reynolds * Associate Professor of Law Assignment 2 - Research essay: Choose one...

WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT        2
WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT
Table of contents
Introduction    3
The Progress    4
Significant Challenges Remain    6
Conclusion    9
References    11
Introduction
    This essay looks at both the considerable obstacles that still need to be overcome and the progress achieved by international law in combating racism and racial discrimination worldwide. The study illustrates how international law has advanced non-discrimination, safeguarded human rights, and created organizations and legal frameworks to combat prejudice. The article also cites a number of obstacles that must be addressed, such as the enduring racial imbalances and inequality, the emergence of nationalist and xenophobic groups, and the efficacy of international law. The paper concludes that in order to address these issues, states, civil society organizations, and international organizations must make a consistent and all-encompassing effort to advance equality and non-discrimination as well as deal with the underlying causes of systemic racism and discrimination. Racism and other racial difficulties are still widespread and persistent worldwide, having a significant negative influence on people and civilizations. Numerous social and economic inequalities, including those in educational achievement, health outcomes, and access to political and job opportunities, have been linked to racial prejudice. The fight to end racism and advance racial equality goes on despite the efforts of several nations, civil society groups, and international organizations. Through the creation of several legal frameworks, treaties, conventions, and organizations intended to prevent and combat discrimination based on race, international law has played a significant part in this effort. Because of these efforts, the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD), the UN Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent, and the International Criminal Court (ICC), which has the authority to try those responsible for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide, were all adopted in 1965. However, despite these important developments, there are still big problems. The persistent obstacles to the worldwide fight against racism include the continuance of racial inequities and inequality, the emergence of nationalist and xenophobic groups, and the efficacy of international law. In this article, we will look at the strides international law has made in combating racism and racial discrimination worldwide while also taking into account the enormous problems that still need to be overcome.
The Progress
    Long acknowledged by international law is the necessity of addressing racial and racist concerns. Every human being is born free and equal in dignity and rights, without discrimination of any type, including race, according to the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights. To end racial discrimination and advance equality and human rights for all, a number of international treaties, conventions, and organizations have been developed over time. However, despite these initiatives, racism and racial inequality continue to be widespread and entrenched issues in many regions of the world[footnoteRef:2]. This article will look at both the substantial obstacles that still need to be overcome and the progress that has been made in tackling racism and race internationally through international law. Through the creation of several legal frameworks, organizations, and procedures that seek to advance racial equality and oppose prejudice, international law has made tremendous progress in addressing race and racism on a worldwide scale. Adoption of the ICERD, sometimes refe
ed to as the "international bill of rights" for persons of all races, is one notable accomplishment. Almost all of the United Nations' member states have ratified the ICERD, which mandates that they implement effective measures to prevent and combat racial discrimination in all of its manifestations. These include adopting legislation and policies, offering victims' rights to redress, and addressing the underlying causes of racial discrimination. [2: Gathii, J. T. (2020). Writing race and identity in a global context: What CRT and TWAIL can learn from each other. UCLA L. Rev., 67, 1610.
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    The creation of organizations that focus on combating racism and advancing racial equality is another significant development. In order to investigate the issues that affect persons of African origin and offer suggestions for overcoming prejudice, the UN Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent was established in 2002[footnoteRef:3]. In order to investigate how racism affects the exercise of human rights and to offer suggestions for eradicating racism, the Special Reporter on Contemporary Forms of Racial Discrimination was established in 1993[footnoteRef:4]. Both of these organizations have been instrumental in fostering awareness of racism and taking action against it. A crucial vehicle for enforcing...