COMMITTEE ON ELIMINATION OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION ADOPTS CONCLUSIONS ON REPORT OF CZECH REPUBLIC

HR/CERD/98/27
18 March 1998


Panel of Experts Establishes 'Contact Group' for Future World Conference on Racism

The Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination this afternoon expressed concern at the persistence of racial hatred and acts of violence, particularly by skinheads and others, against minorities in the Czech Republic.

The Committee's comments came as it adopted concluding observations on a report submitted by the Czech Republic and examined on 6 and 9 March. The experts recommended, among other things, that the Czech Republic, as a State party to the International Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Racial Discrimination, continue efforts to prevent and counter attitudes and acts of racial violence against minorities, particularly the Roma and persons of African and Asian origin.

The Committee also urged the Czech Republic to take additional measures to ensure an effective and timely handling of court cases of racially motivated crimes and punishment of the perpetrators. The experts none the less commended the country for the various measures taken since 1993 to combat racial discrimination. A finalized version of the concluding observations on the Czech Republic, and on other countries that came before the Committee at this session, will be issued on Friday, 20 March.

Earlier in the afternoon, and following a discussion on the World Conference on Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance to be convened no later than 2001, the Committee agreed to establish a 'contact group' to approach members of the Commission on Human Rights and the Secretariat as they prepared for the gathering. It was recalled that the General Assembly appointed the Commission as preparatory committee for the World Conference (resolution 52/111 of 12 December 1997). The Assembly also requested the Committee, among other organizations and agencies, to assist the Commission, to undertake reviews and submit recommendations, and to participate actively in the conference. A number of experts recalled the important experience acquired by the Committee over the years and said it should play a more proactive role in the preparation of the Conference.

The Committee will reconvene at 10 a.m. tomorrow to continue work on concluding observations.