The EU Saturday called for vigorous measures for preventing and combating all forms and manifestations of racism, and xenophobia to build safe and tolerant societies.
"Now more than ever there is a need for the world community to take determined and effective measures at national, regional, and international levels to eliminate all forms of racial discrimination," said EU High Representative Federica Mogherini in a statement to mark International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
"This year we also celebrate the 50 th anniversary of the adoption the International Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Racial Discrimination. The convention is the bedrock for the worldwide fight against racial discrimination. And as such it continues to remind us that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and that any assumptions or beliefs to the contrary are wrong and morally false.
This is why the convention should be universally ratified and implemented," she added.