International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD)

Background of ICERD

The International Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 21 Dec 1965, and is the oldest of the nine core international conventions on human rights by the UN.

The Convention requires countries to condemn all forms of racial discrimination, whether based on race, colour, descent, nationality or ethnic origin, and to pursue a policy of eliminating racial discrimination. States Parties to the Convention are expected to fulfil their treaty obligations via legislative, judicial, administrative and institutional measures.

Key Articles

ICERD consists of 25 articles [PDF, 53 KB] that cover:

• Articles 1 to 7 – Obligate States Parties to provide everyone, regardless of race, effective protection and remedies from racial discrimination;

• Articles 8 to 16 – Describe the monitoring process for States Parties’ implementation of the Convention’s provisions;

• Articles 17 to 20 – Establish ground rules for ratification and accession procedures; and

• Articles 21 to 25 – List administrative provisions of the ICERD.

Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD)

The CERD is the international body of independent experts that monitors implementation of the ICERD by its States Parties. Once the ICERD has been ratified, all States Parties are obliged to submit regular reports to the Committee on its implementation. The Committee examines each report, and addresses its concerns and recommendations to the State Party for follow up.

Singapore and the ICERD

Multiculturalism is at the heart of Singapore’s national identity. Our strong social harmony is the result of continued efforts to expand our common space and foster a shared sense of belonging and identity through our policies, institutions and programmes.

Singapore signed the ICERD on 19 October 2015 and ratified it on 27 November 2017. This represents Singapore’s commitment to preserving a multiracial society free from racial discrimination, where every person is equal before the law.

Role of Government
MCCY chairs an Inter-Ministry Committee on the ICERD. The Committee monitors Singapore’s progress and ensures the implementation of the ICERD by reviewing our laws and policies, and proposing improvements to address racial discrimination.

Role of stakeholders and CSOs
Stakeholders and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) play a vital role in making the commitments set out in the ICERD a reality. The Singapore Government engages stakeholders and CSOs, to raise awareness and consult the public on the ICERD and the elimination of racial discrimination in Singapore.

Singapore’s First ICERD Report and Oral Presentation to the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

Singapore submitted its first State Party Report on the ICERD in December 2018.

• Singapore’s first State Party Report on the ICERD

• Annex to Singapore’s first State Party Report on the ICERD

The Report describes the Government’s approach to preserving and strengthening social cohesion, which has three pillars: legislation that safeguards racial and religious harmony; policies that foster social integration; and programmes that mobilise the community to work together for the common good. It also highlights key measures that Singapore has undertaken to eliminate racial discrimination and strengthen racial harmony.

Singapore presented its First Report to the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) 18 and 19 November 2021, at the 105th session of the CERD. The Singapore delegation was led by then Minister (PMO) and 2Minister (Education and Foreign Affairs) Maliki Osman, and comprised representatives from the Inter-Ministry Committee on the ICERD (IMC-ICERD).

The CERD welcomed Singapore’s legislative, institutional and policy measures, such as the amendments to the Presidential Elections Act in 2016, and the establishment of the IMC-ICERD. The CERD also recommended areas for improvement, such as implementing anti-discrimination legislation.

Singapore’s Combined Second to Fourth ICERD Reports

Singapore submitted its Combined Second to Fourth periodic reports on 26 November 2025. The Report covers key developments and initiatives introduced by the Singapore Government through a comprehensive multi-pronged approach since the submission of Singapore’s first State Party Report in 2018:

• Enhanced legislative safeguards against discrimination

• Expanded policies and programmes to encourage social mixing and promote inter-cultural appreciation

• Strengthened ground-up community partnerships to promote multiculturalism

• Greater international collaboration and knowledge sharing