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24 August 2000
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CERD
57th session
24 August 2000
Afternoon
Adopts Its Annual Report
The Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination this afternoon adopted its concluding observations and recommendations on the report of Ghana which it considered last Tuesday.
The Committee noted with appreciation Ghana's policy to prevent the exploitation of ethnic differences and commended it for the degree to which its population of more than fifty ethnic groups had avoided serious, prolonged conflict.
It expressed concern, among other things, that there were continuing tensions between the ethnic groups in the northern region of Ghana, and recommended that the Government take immediate and effective steps to address the root causes of those tensions.
Ghana is among the 156 States parties to the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and as such it is obligated to submit periodic reports to the Committee for its consideration and to verify Ghana's compliance with the treaty.
Before adjourning its afternoon meeting, the Committee adopted as a whole its annual report which will be submitted to the General Assembly.
When the Committee meets at 10 a.m. on Friday, 25 August, it is expected to finalize its four-week session after dealing with pending issues.
Concluding Observations and Recommendations on Report of Ghana
Ghana's policy to prevent the exploitation of ethnic differences was considered as a positive aspect by the experts. The Committee commended the State party for the degree to which its population of more than fifty ethnic groups had avoided serious, prolonged conflict; welcomed the 1993 establishment of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice to protect human rights, and particularly against racial discrimination, and to investigate violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms; noted the establishment of the National Commission for Civil Education and welcomed its activities in the field of human rights education and training; and it commended the Government of Ghana for adopting measures that outlawed the practice of slavery known as "Trokosi", which affected females in the Ewe ethnic group.
Cited among the Committee's concerns was the lack of detailed information regarding the implementation of constitutional guarantees against racial discrimination, and the legal status under Ghanian law of the Convention. It was also concerned that there were continuing tensions between the ethnic groups in the northern region of Ghana; the lack of detailed information provided about the work of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice and the Commission's handling of cases regarding racial discrimination; and the lack of information in the report concerning the demographic composition of the country.
The Committee recommended, among other things, that the Government conduct a detailed review of relevant legislation to ensure that it implemented fully the provisions of the Convention and that it include information in its next report; that immediate and effective steps be taken to address the root causes of the ethnic tensions in the northern regions of Ghana; that information be provided on any complaints handled by the Commission that might have addressed instances of racial discrimination in its next report; and that the State party supply gender desegregated statistical data regarding socio-economic status, participation in public life and other relevant information concerning the different ethnic groups.
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57th session
24 August 2000
Afternoon
Adopts Its Annual Report
The Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination this afternoon adopted its concluding observations and recommendations on the report of Ghana which it considered last Tuesday.
The Committee noted with appreciation Ghana's policy to prevent the exploitation of ethnic differences and commended it for the degree to which its population of more than fifty ethnic groups had avoided serious, prolonged conflict.
It expressed concern, among other things, that there were continuing tensions between the ethnic groups in the northern region of Ghana, and recommended that the Government take immediate and effective steps to address the root causes of those tensions.
Ghana is among the 156 States parties to the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and as such it is obligated to submit periodic reports to the Committee for its consideration and to verify Ghana's compliance with the treaty.
Before adjourning its afternoon meeting, the Committee adopted as a whole its annual report which will be submitted to the General Assembly.
When the Committee meets at 10 a.m. on Friday, 25 August, it is expected to finalize its four-week session after dealing with pending issues.
Concluding Observations and Recommendations on Report of Ghana
Ghana's policy to prevent the exploitation of ethnic differences was considered as a positive aspect by the experts. The Committee commended the State party for the degree to which its population of more than fifty ethnic groups had avoided serious, prolonged conflict; welcomed the 1993 establishment of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice to protect human rights, and particularly against racial discrimination, and to investigate violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms; noted the establishment of the National Commission for Civil Education and welcomed its activities in the field of human rights education and training; and it commended the Government of Ghana for adopting measures that outlawed the practice of slavery known as "Trokosi", which affected females in the Ewe ethnic group.
Cited among the Committee's concerns was the lack of detailed information regarding the implementation of constitutional guarantees against racial discrimination, and the legal status under Ghanian law of the Convention. It was also concerned that there were continuing tensions between the ethnic groups in the northern region of Ghana; the lack of detailed information provided about the work of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice and the Commission's handling of cases regarding racial discrimination; and the lack of information in the report concerning the demographic composition of the country.
The Committee recommended, among other things, that the Government conduct a detailed review of relevant legislation to ensure that it implemented fully the provisions of the Convention and that it include information in its next report; that immediate and effective steps be taken to address the root causes of the ethnic tensions in the northern regions of Ghana; that information be provided on any complaints handled by the Commission that might have addressed instances of racial discrimination in its next report; and that the State party supply gender desegregated statistical data regarding socio-economic status, participation in public life and other relevant information concerning the different ethnic groups.
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