Definition of Racism

Any action, practice, policy, law, speech, or incident which has the effect (whether intentional or not) of undermining anyone’s enjoyment of their human rights, based on their actual or perceived ethnic or national origin or background, where that background is that of a marginalized or historically subordinated group. Racism carries connotations of violence because the dehumanization of ethnic groups has been historically enforced through violence

Like other systems of oppression racism operates through several overlapping dimensions: historical, structural, institutional and individual which includes racist ideologies, prejudiced attitudes, discriminatory behaviour, structural arrangements and institutionalized practices resulting in racial inequality as well as the fallacious notion that discriminatory relations between groups are morally and scientifically justifiable; it is reflected in discriminatory provisions in legislation or regulations and discriminatory practices as well as in anti-social beliefs and acts; it hinders the development of its victims, perverts those who practise it, divides nations internally, impedes international co-operation and gives rise to political tensions between peoples; it is contrary to the fundamental principles of international law and, consequently, seriously disturbs international peace and security.

Like other systems of oppression racism operates through several overlapping dimensions: historical, structural, institutional and individual.