COMMITTEE ON ELIMINATION ON RACIAL DISCRIMINATION ADOPTS PROPOSALS FOR WORLD CONFERENCE ON RACISM

MORNING

HR/CERD/99/67
26 August 1999



Adopts Concluding Observations on Report of Dominican Republic, Expressing Concern about Situation of Haitians in the Country


The Committee on the Elimination on Racial Discrimination this morning adopted proposals suggesting topics for the agenda of the forthcoming World Conference against Racism and Racial Discrimination.

Among other things, the Committee proposed that the preparatory Committee for the Conference include in the agenda of the Conference consideration of the problem of how the international community might prevent or mitigate mass and flagrant violations of the human rights of persons belonging to ethnic and racial groups and minorities.

It recalled that in recent years the failure of the international community to urgently and adequately respond to numerous conflicts around the world had resulted in genocide, ethnic cleansing, the mass movement of refugees and displaced persons, and the disruption of regional peace and security by armed groups able to commit atrocities with impunity.

The Committee further suggested that the agenda include consideration of the subject of incitement to racial violence as a punishable offence; effective measures to protect all persons against racial discrimination in both public and private sectors, and remedies and reparations for victims; and the role of national commissions on human rights in preventing racial discrimination.

Also this morning, the Committee adopted concluding observations on a report of the Dominican Republic considered earlier this week. Among other things, the panel expressed concern about the situation of a large number of Haitians living in the country.

As one of 155 States parties to the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, the Dominican Republic must submit periodic reports to the Committee on Government efforts to put the treaty into effect.

Prior to its public meeting, the Committee examined in closed session communications submitted to it by individuals claiming to be victims of violations by a State party of any of the rights set forth in the Convention. No communication may be received by the Committee if it concerns a State party which has not made a declaration recognizing the competence of the Committee to consider individual complaints.

When the Committee reconvenes at 3 p.m., it will continue adopting decisions and remaining concluding observations on country reports.

Concluding observations on report of Dominican Republic

The Committee took note with interest of the recent acceptance by the Dominican Republic of the jurisdiction of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, as well as a decision of the Supreme Court of the Dominican Republic that regulated the procedure for the right of protection in cases of violation of fundamental rights by public authorities.

Among its concerns, the Committee said it was worried by statements contained in the report that no racial prejudice existed in the Dominican Republic and that the State party had never perceived any need to condemn racial discrimination within the meaning of article 2 of the Convention. The Committee said no country could claim the total absence of racial discrimination on its territory. Concern was particularly expressed about the situation of a large number of Haitians living in the country, the majority of them illegally, in view of information received indicating that Haitians in the Dominican Republic were subjected to various forms of racial discrimination. The Committee was also concerned at reports that racial prejudice existed not only against Haitians but against darker-skinned Dominicans.

The Committee recommended, among other things, that the State party take urgent measures to ensure the enjoyment by all persons of their economic, social and cultural rights without discrimination. Efforts should be made, in particular, to improve living conditions in the "bateyes" (shanty towns where Haitians lived). The Dominican Republic was also advised to facilitate access to the courts and other competent institutions for victims of racial discrimination and to ensure that the perpetrators of racist acts were brought to trial and the victims provided adequate reparation or satisfaction.