Zambia ratified today the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Dicrimination, which came into force on 4 January 1969. Under the Convention, States parties condemn "racial discrimination and undertake to pursue, by all appropriate means and without delay, a policy of eliminating racial discrimination in all its forms and promoting understanding among races." A Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination has been established under the Convention to oversee implementation of its provisions. The Convention was adopted by the General Assembly on 21 December 1965. Zambia also acceded to the Convention on the Political Rights of Women, which was adopted by the General Assembly on 20 December 1952. The Convention has been into force since 7 July 1954. It provides that women, on equal terms with men and without discrimination, shall have the right to vote, to be eligible for election to all publicy elected bodies, to hold public office and to exercise all public functions.
Ambassador Vernon Johnson Mwaanga, Permanent Representative of Zambia to the UN, depositing the instruments with Constantin. A. Stavropoulos, United Nations Legal Counsel.