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20 March 2000
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20 March 2000
Afternoon
Adopts General Recommendation on Gender Related Dimensions
of Racial Discrimination
The Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination this afternoon concluded its consideration of the report of Bahrain on how that country implemented the provisions of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.
In response to questions raised at this morning’s meeting, the head of the delegation, Abdulaziz Attiat Allah Al-Khalifa, Governor of the capital of Bahrain, said that many women held important posts in the country, both in the private and public sectors. These appointments were based on talent and not race or sex. Bahrain respected all religions and their followers, irrespective of origin, he added.
Luis Valencia Rodriguez, the Committee expert who served as country rapporteur to the report of Bahrain, said that its next report to the Committee should include information on anti-discrimination policies and their achievements.
Also this afternoon, the Committee adopted a General Recommendation on Gender Related Dimensions of Racial Discrimination (CERD/C/56/Misc.21/Rev.2) which was proposed by Committee expert Gay McDougall. The Recommendation noted, among other things, that racial discrimination did not always affect men and women equally or in the same way. It stated that the Committee intended to enhance its efforts to integrate gender perspectives, incorporate gender analysis, and utilize gender-inclusive language in its sessional working methods, including its review of reports submitted by States Parties, concluding observations, early warning mechanisms and urgent action procedures, and general recommendations.
The following experts participated in the meeting this afternoon: Gay McDougall, Mahmoud Aboul-Nasr; Ion Diaconu; Agha Shahi, Patricia January-
Bardill, Mario Jorge Yutzis, Yuri A. Rechetov, Brun-Otto Bryde, Regis de Gouttes, Deci Zou, Vasudevan Raghavan Pillai, Francois Lonseny Fall and Marc Bossuyt.
When the Committee reconvenes at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, 21 March, it will discuss a number of different issues.
Discussion on Report of Bahrain
ABDULAZIZ ATTIAT ALLAH AL-KHALIFA, Governor of the capital of Bahrain, promised to forward to the Government the recommendation by the Committee to incorporate Article 14 of the Convention into national law.
With regards to concerns expressed by non-governmental organizations about racial discrimination in Bahrain, Mr. Al-Khalifa stated that the Government responded frankly and honestly to each allegation voiced by the NGOs.
Concerning the position of women in society, he said many women held important posts in the country, both in the private and public sectors. Those appointments were based on talent and not race or sex. For example, there were many women ambassadors representing Bahrain overseas.
Mr. Al-Khalifa said Bahrain respected all religions and their followers, irrespective of origin.
With regards to Bahraini nationality, Mr. Al-Khalifa said it was conferred upon persons in accordance to the national laws in place. There were no racial considerations applied when reviewing applications.
Concerning reports about violence against foreign domestic helpers, Mr. Al-Khalifa said that this part of society was protected by the law against discrimination and abuse. In the few cases that abuse against foreign domestic workers had occurred in Bahrain, the courts had been able to bring justice to those concerned.
LUIS VALENCIA RODRIGUEZ, the Committee expert who served as country rapporteur to the report of Bahrain, asked that the next report by Bahrain to the Committee include information on the country’s anti-discrimination policies and their achievements. The Committee was also interested in learning more about the teaching of foreign languages at school and actions by NGOs within the country. Information on the ratification on Article 8 of the Convention was also requested, as well as the incorporation of Articles 5 and 6 of the Convention in Bahrain’s Constitution.
Mr. Rodriguez thanked the delegation for its efforts to produce the report and commended the work that the Government had carried out on anti-racial discrimination legislation.
General Recommendation on Gender Related Dimensions of Racial Discrimination
In the General Recommendation, the Committee noted that racial discrimination did not always affect women and men equally or in the same way. There were circumstances in which racial discrimination only or primarily affected women, or affected women in a different way or to a different degree than men. Such racial discrimination would often escape detection if there was no explicit recognition of the different life experiences of women and men.
It stated that certain forms of racial discrimination may be directed towards women specifically because of their gender, such as sexual violence committed against women members of particular racial or ethnic groups in detention or during armed conflict; or the coerced sterilizaion of indigenous women. The circumstances affecting women, legal or practical, might make them particularly vulnerable to racial discrimination. The consequences of racial discrimination might primarily or only affect women, such as pregnancy as the result of racial bias-motivated rape. Women might also be further hindered by a lack of access to remedies and complaint mechanisms for racial discrimination because of gender related restraints.
The General Recommendation stated that recognizing that some forms of racial discrimination had an unique and specific impact on women, the Committee would endeavour in its work to take into account any gender factors or issues which might be interlinked with racial discrimination. Accordingly, the Committee intended to enhance its efforts to integrate gender perspectives, incorporate gender analysis, and utilize gender-inclusive language in its sessional working methods, including its review of reports submitted by States Parties, concluding observations, early warning mechanisms and urgent action procedures, and general recommendations.
The General Recommendation concluded by noting that States parties would be requested to describe, as far as possible in quantitative and qualitative terms, factors affecting and difficultires experienced in ensuring for women the equal enjoyment, free from racial discrimination, of rights under the Convention.
* *** *
Afternoon
Adopts General Recommendation on Gender Related Dimensions
of Racial Discrimination
The Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination this afternoon concluded its consideration of the report of Bahrain on how that country implemented the provisions of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.
In response to questions raised at this morning’s meeting, the head of the delegation, Abdulaziz Attiat Allah Al-Khalifa, Governor of the capital of Bahrain, said that many women held important posts in the country, both in the private and public sectors. These appointments were based on talent and not race or sex. Bahrain respected all religions and their followers, irrespective of origin, he added.
Luis Valencia Rodriguez, the Committee expert who served as country rapporteur to the report of Bahrain, said that its next report to the Committee should include information on anti-discrimination policies and their achievements.
Also this afternoon, the Committee adopted a General Recommendation on Gender Related Dimensions of Racial Discrimination (CERD/C/56/Misc.21/Rev.2) which was proposed by Committee expert Gay McDougall. The Recommendation noted, among other things, that racial discrimination did not always affect men and women equally or in the same way. It stated that the Committee intended to enhance its efforts to integrate gender perspectives, incorporate gender analysis, and utilize gender-inclusive language in its sessional working methods, including its review of reports submitted by States Parties, concluding observations, early warning mechanisms and urgent action procedures, and general recommendations.
The following experts participated in the meeting this afternoon: Gay McDougall, Mahmoud Aboul-Nasr; Ion Diaconu; Agha Shahi, Patricia January-
Bardill, Mario Jorge Yutzis, Yuri A. Rechetov, Brun-Otto Bryde, Regis de Gouttes, Deci Zou, Vasudevan Raghavan Pillai, Francois Lonseny Fall and Marc Bossuyt.
When the Committee reconvenes at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, 21 March, it will discuss a number of different issues.
Discussion on Report of Bahrain
ABDULAZIZ ATTIAT ALLAH AL-KHALIFA, Governor of the capital of Bahrain, promised to forward to the Government the recommendation by the Committee to incorporate Article 14 of the Convention into national law.
With regards to concerns expressed by non-governmental organizations about racial discrimination in Bahrain, Mr. Al-Khalifa stated that the Government responded frankly and honestly to each allegation voiced by the NGOs.
Concerning the position of women in society, he said many women held important posts in the country, both in the private and public sectors. Those appointments were based on talent and not race or sex. For example, there were many women ambassadors representing Bahrain overseas.
Mr. Al-Khalifa said Bahrain respected all religions and their followers, irrespective of origin.
With regards to Bahraini nationality, Mr. Al-Khalifa said it was conferred upon persons in accordance to the national laws in place. There were no racial considerations applied when reviewing applications.
Concerning reports about violence against foreign domestic helpers, Mr. Al-Khalifa said that this part of society was protected by the law against discrimination and abuse. In the few cases that abuse against foreign domestic workers had occurred in Bahrain, the courts had been able to bring justice to those concerned.
LUIS VALENCIA RODRIGUEZ, the Committee expert who served as country rapporteur to the report of Bahrain, asked that the next report by Bahrain to the Committee include information on the country’s anti-discrimination policies and their achievements. The Committee was also interested in learning more about the teaching of foreign languages at school and actions by NGOs within the country. Information on the ratification on Article 8 of the Convention was also requested, as well as the incorporation of Articles 5 and 6 of the Convention in Bahrain’s Constitution.
Mr. Rodriguez thanked the delegation for its efforts to produce the report and commended the work that the Government had carried out on anti-racial discrimination legislation.
General Recommendation on Gender Related Dimensions of Racial Discrimination
In the General Recommendation, the Committee noted that racial discrimination did not always affect women and men equally or in the same way. There were circumstances in which racial discrimination only or primarily affected women, or affected women in a different way or to a different degree than men. Such racial discrimination would often escape detection if there was no explicit recognition of the different life experiences of women and men.
It stated that certain forms of racial discrimination may be directed towards women specifically because of their gender, such as sexual violence committed against women members of particular racial or ethnic groups in detention or during armed conflict; or the coerced sterilizaion of indigenous women. The circumstances affecting women, legal or practical, might make them particularly vulnerable to racial discrimination. The consequences of racial discrimination might primarily or only affect women, such as pregnancy as the result of racial bias-motivated rape. Women might also be further hindered by a lack of access to remedies and complaint mechanisms for racial discrimination because of gender related restraints.
The General Recommendation stated that recognizing that some forms of racial discrimination had an unique and specific impact on women, the Committee would endeavour in its work to take into account any gender factors or issues which might be interlinked with racial discrimination. Accordingly, the Committee intended to enhance its efforts to integrate gender perspectives, incorporate gender analysis, and utilize gender-inclusive language in its sessional working methods, including its review of reports submitted by States Parties, concluding observations, early warning mechanisms and urgent action procedures, and general recommendations.
The General Recommendation concluded by noting that States parties would be requested to describe, as far as possible in quantitative and qualitative terms, factors affecting and difficultires experienced in ensuring for women the equal enjoyment, free from racial discrimination, of rights under the Convention.
* *** *