Fifteen African states tabled a draft resolution at the UN denouncing racial discrimination

At the annual conference of the United Nations (UN) Economic Commission for Africa at Leopoldville in Congo, fifteen African states tabled a draft resolution requesting the UN Economic and Social Council to denounce of racial discrimination. The motion was adopted by thirty votes, with three countries - Britain, France and Spain opposing the resolution. The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is commemorated annually on 21 March. On that day, in 1960, police opened fire and killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration in Sharpeville, South Africa. Proclaiming the Day in 1966, the General Assembly called on the international community to redouble its efforts to eliminate all forms of racial discrimination.