Reliable data needed to combat racism and discrimination - UN rights expert

New York (3 November 2015) - The United Nations Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, Mutuma Ruteere, called today on Governments across the world to improve data collection as a mean to better assess the situation of vulnerable groups.

“The lack of disaggregated data has led to a serious information gap that limits the effective identification of population groups that are suffering discrimination. It also hinders adequate policymaking at the national, regional and international levels and promotes impunity,” said the human rights expert following the presentation of his latest report* to the General Assembly.  

“The collection of data disaggregated by ethnicity on economic, social, cultural, civil and political indicators is a pre-requisite if we are to identify patterns of discrimination and existing gaps. Through better data collection, discriminated groups will become more visible and get better protection,” he stressed.

The Special Rapporteur noted that, although there is no clearly stated international obligation to collect ethnic data, the human rights legal framework provides a strong mandate to gather this kind of data. “The right to be free from discrimination includes the right to access information that could serve as evidence to prove discrimination,” he said.

The Special Rapporteur acknowledged the fears and anxieties expressed by some States and vulnerable groups regarding the collection of sensitive data. However he reiterated that these concerns can be overcome if strict human rights rules are observed, including the right to privacy, the protection of data, the establishment of participatory processes based on informed consent as well as the self-identification of respondents.

The expert urged States to establish legal and institutional frameworks for the periodic collection of ethnically disaggregated data in line with the necessary safeguards. He further invited States to include the collection of ethnically disaggregated data within the framework of their obligation to fight discrimination.

He noted that equality is at the heart of the newly adopted development agenda which, under Goal 17, calls for the collection of disaggregated data to measure progress while leaving “no one behind,” to promote and foster non-discrimination while upholding the universality of human rights.

“At a time where the international community is discussing how to measure progress on the new agenda, the adoption of indicators capturing levels of discrimination will demonstrate States’ commitment,” stressed the expert.

He further called upon Member States to seek or provide appropriate technical and financial assistance to help developing countries to build up their statistical capacity.


ENDS

*The full report is available here:
http://www.un.org/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=A/70/335

Mr. Mutuma Ruteere (Kenya) was appointed by the Human Rights Council as Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance in November 2011. As Special Rapporteur, he is independent from any government or organisation and serves in his individual capacity.  Learn more, visit: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/Racism/SRRacism/Pages/IndexSRRacism.aspx  

The Special Rapporteurs are part of what is known as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures, the largest body of independent experts in the UN Human Rights system, is the general name of the Council’s independent fact-finding and monitoring mechanisms that address either specific country situations or thematic issues in all parts of the world. Special Procedures’ experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. They are independent from any government or organization and serve in their individual capacity.

For further information and media enquiries, please contact Yaye Ba (+41 22 917 92 10 / yba@ohchr.org) or write to racism@ohchr.org.

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