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22 August 2000
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CERD
57th session
22 August 2000
Morning
Defers Adopting Draft General Recommendation on Racial Discrimination
By Individuals Relating to Article 9 of the Convention
The Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination this morning adopted its conclusions on the fifteenth periodic report of Sweden on how that country was implementing the provisions of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.
The Committee said it found as positive aspects that Sweden had taken several legislative initiatives designed to combat racism and to promote the rights of minorities and indigenous people in the country. It expressed its concern that a recent upsurge in racism and xenophobia had been seen in the country which had given rise to increased neo-Nazi violence, especially among youth; and about the increasing popularity of "white power" music which promoted hatred against ethnic minorities.
Among its recommendations, the Committee encouraged the Government of Sweden to continue its efforts to arrest the upsurge in racism and xenophobia, and to prevent and punish racist neo-Nazi violence.
Sweden is among the 156 States parties to the Convention and as such it must submit periodic summaries of its efforts in implementing the provisions of that human rights instrument.
Earlier, following an extensive debate on a draft General Recommendation on racial discrimination by individuals, relating to article 9 of the Convention, the Committee decided to defer final adoption of the text.
Before the document was to be adopted as a whole, some experts expressed doubt on the purpose of adopting the text and asked for its postponement. Some other experts said that had the text been put for a vote, they would have voted against it. Finally, the Committee decided to defer its final adoption.
Article 9 of the Convention says that States parties undertake to submit to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, for consideration by the Committee, a report on the legislative, judicial, administrative or other measures which they had adopted and which give effect to the provisions of the Convention.
When the Committee reconvenes at 3 p.m., it will take up the fifteenth periodic report of Ghana (document CERD/C/338/Add.5).
Concluding Observations on Report of Sweden
Among positive aspects in the report of Sweden, the Committee welcomed the recent legislative initiatives undertaken by Sweden including the Act on National Minorities in Sweden; the Act on Immigrant Integration Policy; and the Ethnic Discrimination Ombudsman Act, among others; it also welcomed the additional initiatives to combat racial discrimination and xenophobia, including the appointment of the Commission for the Study of Racist Crimes; the development of a plan of action by the Prosecutor General to reinforce the measures against crimes with racist or xenophobia motives; the implementation of programmes, such as "EXIT", to counteract the activities of racist organizations; and the reinforcement of training for prison and probation officials in countering prejudice, racism and xenophobia among staff.
The Committee was concerned, among other things, that a recent upsurge in racism and xenophobia had been seen, which had given rise to increased neo-Nazi violence, especially among youth; about the increasing popularity of "white power" music which promoted hatred against ethnic minorities; about the difficulties which the Roma continued to experience in exercising their rights; over the issue of land rights of the Sami people, in particular hunting and fishing rights which were threatened by the privatization of traditional Sami lands; about increasing residential de facto segregation; and about increasing incidence of racial discrimination in restaurants, other public places and with regard to access to services.
Among its recommendations, the Committee encouraged Sweden to continue its efforts to arrest the upsurge in racism and xenophobia; prevent and punish racist neo-Nazi violence; and persecute any persons whose actions incited to racial hatred. It recommended that additional information be submitted on the situation of the Roma minority, particularly as regards education, employment and housing; that Sweden consider the extension of the right to use the Sami language in legal and administrative proceedings; that the Government introduce legislation recognizing traditional Sami land rights and reflecting the centrality of reindeer husbandry to the way of life of Sweden's indigenous people; that International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention No. 169 on Indigenous and Tribal Peoples in Independent States be ratified; that compliance with the law against discrimination in the allocation of housing be ensured; and that effective action be taken utilizing administrative measures as well as criminal prosecutions to ensure that access to places or services intended for use by the general public was not denied on grounds of national or ethnic origin.
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57th session
22 August 2000
Morning
Defers Adopting Draft General Recommendation on Racial Discrimination
By Individuals Relating to Article 9 of the Convention
The Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination this morning adopted its conclusions on the fifteenth periodic report of Sweden on how that country was implementing the provisions of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.
The Committee said it found as positive aspects that Sweden had taken several legislative initiatives designed to combat racism and to promote the rights of minorities and indigenous people in the country. It expressed its concern that a recent upsurge in racism and xenophobia had been seen in the country which had given rise to increased neo-Nazi violence, especially among youth; and about the increasing popularity of "white power" music which promoted hatred against ethnic minorities.
Among its recommendations, the Committee encouraged the Government of Sweden to continue its efforts to arrest the upsurge in racism and xenophobia, and to prevent and punish racist neo-Nazi violence.
Sweden is among the 156 States parties to the Convention and as such it must submit periodic summaries of its efforts in implementing the provisions of that human rights instrument.
Earlier, following an extensive debate on a draft General Recommendation on racial discrimination by individuals, relating to article 9 of the Convention, the Committee decided to defer final adoption of the text.
Before the document was to be adopted as a whole, some experts expressed doubt on the purpose of adopting the text and asked for its postponement. Some other experts said that had the text been put for a vote, they would have voted against it. Finally, the Committee decided to defer its final adoption.
Article 9 of the Convention says that States parties undertake to submit to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, for consideration by the Committee, a report on the legislative, judicial, administrative or other measures which they had adopted and which give effect to the provisions of the Convention.
When the Committee reconvenes at 3 p.m., it will take up the fifteenth periodic report of Ghana (document CERD/C/338/Add.5).
Concluding Observations on Report of Sweden
Among positive aspects in the report of Sweden, the Committee welcomed the recent legislative initiatives undertaken by Sweden including the Act on National Minorities in Sweden; the Act on Immigrant Integration Policy; and the Ethnic Discrimination Ombudsman Act, among others; it also welcomed the additional initiatives to combat racial discrimination and xenophobia, including the appointment of the Commission for the Study of Racist Crimes; the development of a plan of action by the Prosecutor General to reinforce the measures against crimes with racist or xenophobia motives; the implementation of programmes, such as "EXIT", to counteract the activities of racist organizations; and the reinforcement of training for prison and probation officials in countering prejudice, racism and xenophobia among staff.
The Committee was concerned, among other things, that a recent upsurge in racism and xenophobia had been seen, which had given rise to increased neo-Nazi violence, especially among youth; about the increasing popularity of "white power" music which promoted hatred against ethnic minorities; about the difficulties which the Roma continued to experience in exercising their rights; over the issue of land rights of the Sami people, in particular hunting and fishing rights which were threatened by the privatization of traditional Sami lands; about increasing residential de facto segregation; and about increasing incidence of racial discrimination in restaurants, other public places and with regard to access to services.
Among its recommendations, the Committee encouraged Sweden to continue its efforts to arrest the upsurge in racism and xenophobia; prevent and punish racist neo-Nazi violence; and persecute any persons whose actions incited to racial hatred. It recommended that additional information be submitted on the situation of the Roma minority, particularly as regards education, employment and housing; that Sweden consider the extension of the right to use the Sami language in legal and administrative proceedings; that the Government introduce legislation recognizing traditional Sami land rights and reflecting the centrality of reindeer husbandry to the way of life of Sweden's indigenous people; that International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention No. 169 on Indigenous and Tribal Peoples in Independent States be ratified; that compliance with the law against discrimination in the allocation of housing be ensured; and that effective action be taken utilizing administrative measures as well as criminal prosecutions to ensure that access to places or services intended for use by the general public was not denied on grounds of national or ethnic origin.
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