COMMITTEE ON ELIMINATION OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION ADOPTS CONCLUSIONS ON REPORTS OF CAMEROON AND CAMBODIA

HR/CERD/98/30
20 March 1998



Adopts Conclusions on Situation in Saint Lucia

The Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination this morning urged Cambodia to bring to an end the impunity of perpetrators of human rights violations, in particular those responsible for massacres carried out against ethnic Vietnamese. The expert group also called on Cameroon to take all appropriate measures to promote the rights of minorities and indigenous peoples, in particular with regard to threatening deforestation activities.

The remarks came as the Committee adopted concluding observations on reports from the two countries examined earlier this week. Cambodia and Cameroon are among the 150 States parties to the International Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Racial Discrimination, and as such are required to submit reports to the Committee on measures taken to implement that treaty.

On the report of Cambodia, the expert panel noted the situation of ethnic Vietnamese was a matter of concern, in particular with regard to equality of rights. Alarm was expressed at reports of the growing prostitution of females of Vietnamese origin, in particular that of children. Concern was also expressed at reports of racist attitudes among much of the Khmer population against Cambodian-born ethnic Vietnamese, who were still perceived as immigrants.

Among other recommendations, the Committee called on Cambodia to take all steps, including legal measures, to ensure the independence of the judiciary. Moreover, it emphasized the need to investigate, prosecute and punish those found guilty of human rights violations, and to establish confidence in the rule of law.

In its comments, the Committee further called on Cambodia to recognize the citizenship of indigenous peoples, as well as their use of lands, forests and other natural resources, and their distinct and unique identity, culture and way of living. Moreover, it recommended the Government take the necessary measures to provide training and education of law enforcement officers, civil servants, judges and lawyers, as well as teachers and students, at all levels of education in the field of human rights and prevention of racial discrimination.

Concerning Cameroon, the Committee called on the Government to provide information, in its next report, on the representation of ethnic groups at different levels of political life and civil service as well as on their enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights.

Among other recommendations, the expert panel called on Cameroon to take all appropriate measures to prevent and eliminate acts of discrimination among foreigners; to ensure the enjoyment of the right to security, freedom of expression and the press for all persons, without distinction as to race, to colour or ethnic origin, and to adopt all appropriate measures concerning education, training and information in the field of human rights.

Earlier this morning, the Committee adopted conclusions on the situation in Saint Lucia, whose initial report is seriously overdue. It decided that a communication be sent to the Government setting out its reporting obligations under the Convention and calling for a resumption of the dialogue with the Committee.

The expert panel also suggested the Government of Saint Lucia avail itself of the technical assistance offered under the advisory services and technical assistance programme of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, with the aim of drawing up and submitting an updated report.

At its summer session, the Committee decided this morning, reports from Tonga, Nepal, Cuba, Kuwait, Niger, Cyprus, Jordan, Morocco, Croatia, and Gabon will be considered. The experts also agreed to examine the implementation of the Convention in Haiti and Estonia, whose reports are seriously overdue. The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Rwanda were scheduled for consideration under the Committee's early warning and urgent procedures mechanisms.

In another decision, the Committee agreed to hold, every second year, its winter session at United Nations Headquarters in New York. This decision was adopted by a vote in which 12 Committee members voted in favour, while four abstained.

The Committee will reconvene at 3 p.m. this afternoon, to examine a draft decision on the situation in Rwanda.