1978 – Grenada Ratifies Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

On June 8, 1978, Grenada formally ratified the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, committing the Caribbean nation to global standards of racial equity. The United Nations convention, adopted in 1965, sought to end racial hatred and systemic discrimination worldwide. By ratifying it, Grenada became part of an international legal framework obligating states to take action against racial injustice. This move held special weight for a post-colonial Caribbean nation still navigating the legacy of European slavery and racial hierarchy. Grenada’s ratification reflected both internal reform efforts and its alignment with other newly independent Black-majority nations advocating for global racial justice. The action symbolized a diplomatic step forward in the international struggle for racial equality and set a precedent for other Caribbean nations seeking to reshape postcolonial governance through legal and human rights instruments.