The United Nations has said that racism is dangerous, abhorrent, ugly and remains pervasive.

The Global organization made the statement on Sunday in commemoration of the International day for the elimination of racial discrimination.

Established by the UN General Assembly in 1966, the event is observed annually to remember the 69 anti-apartheid protesters killed by South African police in 1960.

Among other objectives, it aims at fostering a global culture of tolerance, equality and eliminating racial prejudice.

The UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres said this year’s event highlights the important role of youth, who have been in the forefront of the fight against racism.

According to him, the world is still seeing menace in the “repugnant views of white supremacists and other extremist groups”.