Kathmandu, March 20:

The UN has chosen the theme “Fighting Everyday Racism” to commemorate the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination tomorrow.

“Fighting racism and discrimination should not be seen as a campaign of charity but one of social justice that is needed for the economic and social progress of Nepal,” said UN resident coordinator, Matthew Kahane issuing a release here today. Racism in Nepal particularly affects member of the Dalit and indigenous as well as refugees and other ethnic communities.

The UN resident coordinator said caste-based discrimination has been recognised as a critical problem worldwide, with particular impact in the South Asia.

U N secretary general Kofi Annan, in his message on the occasion of International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, said, “We are all aware that many of man’s greatest atrocities have had racial underpinnings, but the collective toll inflicted by routine racism is frequently overlooked.”