ISLAMABAD: The Government of Pakistan, on the 10th anniversary of the massacre at Sharpeville, South Africa, has reiterated its solidarity with the victims of discrimination based on race, religion and language.

The message issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on this occasion has reaffirmed Pakistan’s faith in the dignity and quality of all human beings as proclaimed in the United Nations Charter and in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The message said: “March 21, 1970 marks the 10th anniversary of the massacre at Sharpeville, South Africa, when peaceful demonstrators against unjust racial laws were fired upon and killed. To commemorate the incident, the General Assembly of the United Nations in 1966 proclaimed this date as the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

“Racial discrimination and Apartheid are an affront to human dignity, constitute a serious impediment to economic and social development and are obstacles to international cooperation and peace. These abhorrent practices continue to exist in many countries.— Agency

Published in Dawn, March 21st, 2020