On 21 March 1960, 69 people lost their lives as a result of the police opening fire on the protesters who wanted to protest apartheid laws in the Sharpeville city of South Africa. In 1966, United Nations (UN) General assembly declared March 21 when this incident happened as "The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination" to be observed every year.

According to Article 1 of International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination which was adopted by UN General Assembly and signed by Türkiye on 13.10.1972, racial discrimination is defined as "any distinction, exclusion, restriction or preference based on race, colour, descent, or national or ethnic origin which has the purpose or effect of nullifying or impairing the recognition, enjoyment or exercise, on an equal footing, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural or any other field of public life." Within the scope of the Convention, not only direct racial discrimination, but all kinds of discrimination based on color, descent, national or ethnic origin was prohibited.  

Behind the discriminatory attitudes and behaviors done based on race, color, descent, national or ethnic origin usually lies prejudices. Supporting understanding and respect between different groups is the first step to combatting prejudices which lead people and societies into racial discrimination.

In Article 3 of the Law no. 6701 on the Human Rights and Equality Institution of Türkiye, it is ensured that "it is prohibited under this Law to discriminate against persons based on the grounds of sex, race, colour, language, religion, belief, sect, philosophical or political opinion, ethnical origin, wealth, birth, marital status, health status, disability and age."

HREIT, main mission of which is to ensure persons' right to equal treatment on the basis of human dignity, prevention of discrimination in the exercise of legally recognized rights and freedoms, is continuing to carry out its relevant institutional duties within the framework of its mission and stands against all racist stances, actions, and practices.

Respectfully announced to the public.