Racial discrimination is a topical subject, given the increased migration and movement of people of various ethnic and cultural backgrounds throughout the world. The book approaches racial discrimination from numerous aspects; its definition, categories of persons protected against it, commitments taken by States and their difficulties in fulfilling them, activities of international bodies monitoring the implementation of the international instruments, mainly the Committee for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD).The author combines theoretical aspects of racism with States practice in implementing the 1965 International Convention for the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD).

The book provides a guide to the application of the ICERD and is aimed at government officials, human rights activists and non-governmental organizations. Scholars and students who seek indepth information on the topic will also find this book a valuable work.

About the Author. The author has been a member of CERD for many years at a time when important changes took place both in terms of new forms of racial discrimination and of methods of work of CERD. Ion Diaconu is now professor at the University of Bucharest.