discrimination. At the insistence of an overwhelming majority of States, it had adopted historic documents against colonialism and genocide, the criminal policy of State racism and expansionist zionism. Two of the foremost among them were the United Nations Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination 7 and the International Con­ vention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.1 Based on the Charter of the United Nations, those instruments signalled a turning point in international co-operation, the promotion of hu­ man rights and the struggle against national and racial inequality, oppression and injustice. It was important that the Convention did not confine itself to general, non-binding declarations but, rather, placed States under a legal obligation to combat any manifestation of racism and racial discrimination. The Charter, together with the Declaration and the Convention, constituted an important international legal basis for the observance and promotion of human rights. If the international legal norms en­ shrined in those documents were not observed, there could be no respect for human rights. Many States with different social systems and different levels of economic development had ratified or acceded to the International Convention. The fact that 124 States were parties to the Convention was incontrovertible proof of its effectiveness and vitality. It was the duty of all States to ensure universal recognition and implementation of the international rules concerning the elimination of racism and racial discrimination. 46. Loyal to the Leninist principles of its foreign policy, the Soviet Union was labouring firmly and consistently to eliminate all racism and racial dis­ crimination. The Soviet Union was a party to all the international instruments against racism. It had assumed legal obligations under the Convention, and was participating actively in its implementation, reporting regularly to the Committee on the Elimina­ tion of Racial Discrimination regarding compliance 
**Analysis**
The text primarily focuses on international cooperation, human rights, and the elimination of racism and racial discrimination. It mentions the ratification and implementation of international conventions, the importance of respecting human rights, and the role of states in combating racism. These themes suggest that the text is related to international relations and human rights, rather than specific economic or industrial topics.

**Category**
Humanitarian aid and relief, Education