COMMITTEE ON ELIMINATION OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION ADOPTS REMAINING CONCLUSIONS ON REPORT OF VIET NAM

CERD
59th session
15 August 2001
Afternoon





The Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination this afternoon adopted its remaining concluding observations and recommendations on the ninth periodic report of Viet Nam, calling for the adoption of more specific anti-discrimination legislation in that country to implement the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.

The Committee said that bearing in mind allegations of forced sterilization of mountainous ethnic minority women, it would welcome information from the State party on the impact of its population planning policy on the enjoyment of the reproductive rights by members of all ethnic minorities.

In addition, the Committee was concerned about reports of discrimination in the exercise of religious freedom by minority ethnic groups. Taking note of the denial of that allegation by the State party's delegation, the Committee said it would request additional information from Viet Nam on the exercise of the right to religious freedom by ethnic minorities.

Before adjourning its afternoon meeting, the Committee briefly discussed its participation in the forthcoming World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance. It also started discussing its annual report which will be submitted to the General Assembly.

When the Committee reconvenes at 10 a.m. on Thursday, 16 August, it is expected to adopt its conclusions and recommendations on the report of Ukraine and it will continue to discuss and approve its annual report. The Committee is scheduled to end its three-week session on Friday, 17 August.

Remaining Concluding Observations and Recommendations on Report of Viet Nam

The first part of the concluding observations and recommendations on the report of Viet Nam can be found in press release HR/CERD/01/54.

The Committee noted that Viet Nam's Constitution devoted an entire chapter to the fundamental rights and obligations of citizens and that several laws had been enacted to put the Constitution into concrete terms, thereby creating a legal environment for its implementation, but it would welcome the adoption of more specific anti-discrimination legislation to implement the Convention.

The Committee said that bearing in mind allegations of forced sterilization of mountainous ethnic minority women, it would welcome information from the State party on the impact of its population planning policy on the enjoyment of reproductive rights by members of all ethnic minorities; it encouraged the State party to continue its efforts to ensure that members of ethnic groups, particularly the mountainous minorities, could enjoy equal rights.

Further, the Committee was concerned about reports of discrimination in the exercise of religious freedom by minority ethnic groups. Taking note of the response of the State party's delegation denying that allegation, the Committee said it would request additional information from Viet Nam on the exercise of that right by ethnic minorities; it was further concerned about the alleged population transfer to territories inhabited by indigenous groups, disadvantaging them in their exercise of their economic, social and cultural rights; and it requested further clarification from the State party on that topic.

The Committee urged the State party to protect the rights of all refugees in Viet Nam as well as Vietnamese expatriated from Cambodia; it noted that the State party report did not mention any case of race-related acts of discrimination that had been prosecuted by the State party's judicial authorities; and information was requested on that regard. Additional information was also requested on the application of the Convention in pursuance of the State party's policy of comprehensive development to promote the rights of all persons belonging to all ethnic minorities.



* *** *