Racism and International Human Rights Law

Abstract

Racism is as old as human history. It gives rise to different shapes such as race, caste, color, creed, nationality and origin. Ancient philosophers, namely, Aristotle, Rousseau, Hobbes and Locke have been against racism and supported humanity. Discrimination against humanity is a dark chapter for human rights. Art 1(3) of UN declaration presents to accomplish global collaboration by promoting and encouraging reverence for all human freedoms and rights devoid of difference as to race, sex, language or religion. Art 2 of UDHR speaks that “every person is entitled for all the rights and liberties mentioned in this declaration, without any sorts of distinction.’ 20th Century witnessed the abolition of slavery and trafficking of men in all forms. All the constitutions of the world have provisions of fundamental human rights without any discrimination and distinction, more than that, the Holy Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as well as his Last Sermon are the sources of fundamental rights, equality of all races with reference to ancient and modern laws of the world.