Distr. RESTRICTED A/CONF.21LIPC.2I CRP.6 23 Aprrl2008 ENGLISH ONLY DURBAN REVIEW CONF'ERENCE PreparatoryCommittee First substantive session Geneva,2l April- 2 May 2008 Agenda item 6 REPLIES TO THE QUESTIONNAIRE BY STATES* Note by the Secretariat In accordance with decisionPC.l/10, adopted 31 August200l by the Preparatory on Committeeof the Durban Review Conference its organtzational at session, Office of the the United NationsHigh Commissioner Human Rights (OHCHR) circulateda questionnaire for to Member Statesin a note verbaledated lJ lanuarv 2008. The repliesto the questionnaire will be availableat the first substantive session the Preparatory of Committee.The replieswere to be no more than five pageslong and the deadlinefor submittingthe replieswas 29 February2008. As at 4 April 2008, OHCHR had receivedrepliesfrom 39 StatesMembersof the United Nations:Algeria,Armenia,Austria,Belarus, Belgium,Bosniaand Herzegovina,BrazTl, Bulgaria,Burkina Faso,Cyprus,Denmark,Egypt, Estonia,Finland,Georgia,Germany, Hungary,the Islamic Republicof Iran, Ireland,Italy, Japan,Latvra,Lebanon,Liechtenstein, Norway, Portugal,Qatar,Romania,the RussianFederation, Senegal, Slovak Republic, the Sweden,Switzerland, SyrianArab Republic,Togo, Turkey, the United Kingdom of the Great Britain and NorthernIreland,Uruguay and Venezuela (BolivarianRepublicof). The Secretariat also receivedone reply from one non-MemberState,the Holy See. >r The original repliesto the questionnaire receivedare availablefrom the web pageof the Preparatory Committeeon the websiteof the Oftice of the United NationsHigh Commissioner for Human Rights (www.ohchr.org)and from the Secretariat. G8.08-13099 (E) 250408 A/CONF'.2 TI /PC.2/CRP.6 page 2 In compliancewith a requestof the Bureauof the Preparatory Committeeof the Durban Review Conf-erence, Secretariat prepared presentdocument,containingsummaries the the the of received replies. Owing to the page limit, the summaryof eachreply to the questionnaire approximately is 400 words.The repliesreceived took variousforms: someanswered only the corequestions, othersanswered only the questions containedin the annex,othersanswered both the core questions and thosein the annex,while othersdid not follow the structureof the questionnaire. Where the core questions were answered, numberof eachquestionis included.In cases the where the questionsin the annexwere answered, this is indicatedin the summary.In cases where both the core questions and thosein the annexwere answered, this is referredto; however,owing to the pagelimit, the summaryconcentrated the core questions. on The summaries also attempt to focus on legislativeand other initiativestakensincethe World Conf-erence againstRacismand avoid relating constitutional protectionsalone.To the extentpossible,the summaries reproduce the language usedin the repliesto the questionnaire. A/CONF 1I lPC.2/CRP.6 .2 page3 REPLIES TO THE QUESTIONNAIRE CONTENTS Page States Membersof the United Nations Algeria Armenia Austria Belarus Belgium Bosniaand Herzegovina 5 6 8 9 l0 t2 t4 t5 l7 l9 20 2I 23 24 26 27 29 30 3l JJ -a Bulgaria Burkina Faso Cyprus Denmark..... E - U - . /- + I I ^ T "bJ I I Y' E,stonia Finland Georgia Germany.... Hungary Iran (Islamic Republicof) Ireland Italy Japan Latvia Lebanon Liechtenstein Norway Portugal Qatar 34 35 .t -, JI 38 39 1l 42 A/CONF'.2I 1/PC.2/CRP.6 page4 CONTENTS (continued) Page 43 Russian Federation 45 46 48 Sweden Switzerland . Syrian Arab Republic Togo Turkey United Kingdom of Great Britain and NorthernIreland 49 5l 52 54 55 51 58 Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) 60 Non-MemberState Holy See 6l A/CONF.21I /PC.2/CRP.6 page5 REPLIES TO THE QUESTIONNAIRE StatesMembers of the United Nations Algeria The Algerian Constitutioncontainsprovisionsagainstall forms of discriminationand exploitation.Because its history, Algeria has beenat the forefront of the fight againstall of forms of racial discriminationand has supported nationsthat havebeen subjected this form of to discrimination.As a result,Algeria welcomedthe Durban Declarationand Programme Action of and regretsthe lack of commitmentand mobilizationby the internationalcommunityto put into effect mechanisms deal with new forms of racism,racial discrimination,xenophobia to and relatedintolerance. The Constitutionalso hasprovisionsproviding for the protectionof Algeriansand foreignersfrom all forms of racial discrimination.The Constitutionalsoprovidesfor freedomof religion and belief. The protectionof rights extendsto foreignersand their property;thereis also the right of asylum as well as the protectionof refugees. Article 140 of the Constitutionprovides for non-discrimination and equalitybeforecourtsof law and tribunals. Measures takento end racism and discriminationinclude (a) the ratificationof international treatiesand regionalmechanisms; Algeria hasratified all the conventions mentionedin article 7l of the Durban Declarationand Programme Action and most of the of conventions mentionedin article 78 relatedto discrimination(for example rn 2006,Algeria , ratified the Conventionon Migrant Workers and also ratified the Arab Charter);(b) combating humantrafticking; (c) protectionof refugees(hereit shouldbe notedthat Algeria accepts refugees from different partsof the world and has done this in collaboration with the United NationsHigh Commissioner Refugees; for labour laws provide protectionto workers regardless their nationalityand deal with foreignerson an equalbasiswhen it comesto wages of and provision of legal status);(d) combatingextremepoverty throughthe development of programmes aimed at supportingthe poor and vulnerableand through"solidarity grants";and (e) nationalinstitutions:the National Advisory Commissionfor the Protectionand Promotionof Human Rights,established decreein 2001 and amended by rn2002, givesthe Commission A/CONF .2I I /PC.2/CRP.6 page6 jurisdiction to conductstudiesof all human rights violationsand to take appropriate action, including mediationbetweencitizensand different governmental bodiesworking on the issues, outreachprogrammesand sensitization humanrights. on Algeria is awarethat thereis a needto combatracism,racraldiscrimination,xenophobia and relatedintolerancewith all meansat the national,regionaland internationallevels.Algeria considers questionnaire stepforward in evaluatingmeasures the a takenby States coordinate to efforts to combattheseviolations.It is importantto enhance and supportall Durbanfollow-up mechanisms the level of the Office of the United NationsHigh Commissioner Human at for Rightsand to provide the meansrequiredby the SpecialRapporteur racism. on Armenia Question I The implementation the provisionsof the Durban Declarationconstitutes continuation of a of Statepoliciesaimedat the eliminationof all forms of racism,racialdiscrimination, xenophobia and relatedintolerance. In 1993,the Governmentratified the International Conventionon the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.In recentyears,greatattentionhasbeenpaid to prevention measures, focusingon education tolerance. universities alsoin schools, of [n and humanrights was included,as a compulsorysubjectof study,in spectahzed areasdealingwith the fight againstdiscriminationand the protectionof rights of nationalminorities.In accordance with the spirit of the Durban Declaration,specificattentionis paid to genderequality.Armenia has becomea party to internationalconventions protectingthe rights and freedomof women. Gender equalityis guaranteed the Constitution in and in many legalmeasures. 2004,in decision In RA N645-N, the Governmentapprovedthe nationalprogrammefor the improvementof the situation women and enhancing of their rolesin societyin the Republicof Armeniafor the period 2001-2010. Question 2 Armenia actively fights contemporary forms of slavery,suchas forced labour,including sexualexploitation.The fight againsttrafficking in persons a priority for the Government. is By a decisionof the Prime Minister in October2002, an interdepartmental commissionwas A/CONF' I lPC.2/CRP.6 .21 page7 established fighting trafficking in persons, on with representatives diff-erent of ministriesand other Statebodiesand civil society.In December2007,the Government adoptedthe second nationalprogrammeon fighting trafficking in persons the period 2007-2009. for Question 3 Initiativesinclude the translationof the manual"Compass"for the teachingof human rights. The federationof youth clubs organized numberof initiatives,in collaboration a with Baltic and southCaucasian countries,to involve leadersof youth organizations the elaboration in of youth policies.The centrefor organnationof youth activities,with the supportand financing of the Ministry of Culture,has implemented long-termproject,the "school for young a leaders". In the contextof the fight againstracism,racial discrimination, xenophobiaand related intolerance, during the period 2003-2007, therewas one lawsuit on the groundof article 226.2.1. of the PenalCode for incitementof national,racial or religioushatred;one personwas found guilty. Question 4 There is a needfor enhanced detailedmonitoring of Statemeasures, accordance in with the Durban Declarationand Prosrammeof Action. Question 5 After the ratificationof the International Conventionon the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination,the Governmenttook all necessary legal and institutionalmeasures (reference the annex). to Question 6 Elaborationof a textbookHuman Rightsfor students the eighth gradeof secondary in schooland training of teachers teachingthis subject.Armenia also providedrepliesto the for question the annex. in A/CONF'.2 I I lPC .2/CRP.6 page8 Austria Question I In 2OO4 and 2006, a new legislativeframework in the tield of non-discrimination was introduced. The Act on the Equal TreatmentCommissionand the Ombudspersons' Office for Equal Treatmentwas passed; Equal TreatmentAct and the FederalEqual Treatment the Act were amended. The Act on Equal Treatmentfor Persons with Disabilitieswas passed, and the Act on the Employmentof Persons with Disabilitieswas amended. The protectionhitherto affordedagainstgenderdiscriminationis now also appliedto discriminationon the grounds of ethnicorigin, religion and ideology,sexualorientation, disabilityand age. Question2 Austria regularlysubmitscomprehensive informationon all forms of discrimination, including racist,xenophobicand relatedintolerance the EuropeanUnion Fundamental to Rights Agency as well as to its predecessor, Monitoring Centreon Racismand Xenophobia. the With regardto human trafficking, a multidisciplinarycommittee,the Task Force against Trafficking,was set up by decisionof the Councilof Ministers rn2004.The Committee includes Governmentrepresentatives, externalexpertsand non-governmental organizations. In March 200'7, Council of Ministers adopteda nationalactionplan againsthuman the trafficking, which contains specificmeasures regarding coordination, prevention, victim protection and compensation, prosecution, international cooperation, datacollection, monitoringand evaluation. Question 3 The Advisory Board for Human Rights is an independent body that monitors,from a humanrightsperspective, activitiesof securityauthorities, the authorities otherwise subordinate to the FederalMinister for the Interior, as well as others. The FederalMinistry of Education,Arts and Culture,in cooperation with non-governmental organizations and international partners, implements wide a initiativesaimed at combatingmanif-estations racism in education. of rangeof A/CONF.21I /PC.2/CRP.6 page9 when committedwith any With regardto legal measures, criminal offenceis aggravated on of intent(s. 33 (5) PenalCode).Moreover,discrimination the grounds racistor xenophobic offenceunderarticle IX of the IntroductoryProvisionsto the raceconstitutes administrative an Laws on AdministrativeProcedure. Question 4 approach that be Austria suggests that emphasis given to a focusedand streamlined in in effectiveness combatingracism and operates the principle of consensus order to enhance on of relatedforms of intolerance throughthe implementation the DurbanDeclarationand Programmeof Action. Question 5 the The FederalConstitutionalAct of 3 July 1913,which implemented International Conventionon the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination,providesthat any kind of of discriminationon racial groundsis prohibited.Austria takesthe recommendations the Committeecarefullv into account. Question 6 Public authoritiesin Austria, both at the federaland regionallevels,put a particularfocus training for public agents. on anti-discrimination Belarus in Belarusrepliedto the questions the annex.It statedthat the prohibition of all forms and in of manifestations racial discriminationis widely incorporated nationallaws. Fundamental beforetribunalsand all other norms in this areaare includedin the Constitution.Equal treatment justice, equalrights to securityof the personand protectionby the State organsadministering by againstviolenceor bodily harm, equalrights to freedomof religion and belief are guaranteed the Constitution. With regardto equalrights to all levelsof educationand training,article 3 of the Law on the Educationof October L99l ensures right of each crtizenof Belarusto receivean education. basisin the countryhavethe samerights as the Foreigners and aliensliving on a permanent citizensof Belaruswith resardto education. 2/CRP.6 .21 A/CONF' I IPC. page10 with the nationallaw on With regardto equalparticipationto cultural life, in accordance culture in the Republic of Belarus,personsof any nationalityliving on the territory of the their nationalculture. country have the right to preserveand enhance of citizensthe right to choosetheir language educationand The Stateguarantees of the upbringingand creates conditionsfor the implementation that right. The PenalCode punishescrimes committedon racial, national,ethnicaland religious factorsand also incitementto racial,nationalor religious grounds,which are also aggravating for sanctions genocide. hatred.The Code also envisages for Decreeof 9 March 2005 No. 3 on measures the preventionof The Presidential in concretemeasures, particularthe protectionof women and trafficking in personsenvisages in a children.During the period2OO2-200J, numberof measures this areawere implementedin and prostitutionadoptedin with the Stateprogrammeagainsttrafficking in persons accordance illegal 2001. In December2001 a Stateprogrammefor combatingtrafficking in persons, , was adopted. immigration and relatedillegal actsfor the period20OS-2010 centrefor training,qualificationenhancement, In July 2007,an internationaleducational was and other forms of training initiativesin the areaof migrationand trafficking in persons and four officers was organtzed, for opened.In 200'7 one training session law enforcement , othersare plannedfor 2008. In December2001,the Departmenton citizenshipand migrationagreedon standard for procedures protectionand action in the eventof sexualand genderviolencein operational Belarus. healthcare, employment, Statebodiescontinuouslywork to provide social services, passports and integrationin socialand cultural life for Roma people. education, Belgium Question I The Centrefor Equal Opportunitiesand Oppositionto Racismwas chargedwith the what and a of responsibility elaborating plan of actionfollowing the 2001Conference assessing A/CONF' I lPC.2/CRP.6 .21 page 1 I hasbeenimplemented Belgium and what still remainsto be done.This analysis shown by has that the Durban outcomeremainsa pertinentand relevantbasisfor the fight againstracism, racial discrimination,xenophobiaand relatedintolerance. Belgium adopteda plan of action in 2004 on racism,anti-semitismand xenophobia, l0-point plan that focuseson the applicability a of anti-discrimination legislation,follow-up of complaints,the Internetas a medium of racist ancl anti-Semiticideology,distributionof racist materials, fight againstbigotry (creationof the "democracyplatforms"), the evaluationof media work, police services, Statesecurity,measures of public protectionand the creationof tolerance barometers. Belgium also receivedthe membersof the Working Group of Expertson Peopleof African Descentin 2005and published a booklet entitled "I actagainstracism". Question 2 There are still different forms of discriminationof severaltypes.The racistmanifestations being observed Belgium are all coveredunderthe Durban outcomedocuments. in Belgium has dealt with thesethroughan arsenalof laws (as indicatedunderquestion3), with regardto education, preventionand mediation.All victims receiveequalprotection. Question 3 Belgium has enactedan arsenal laws againstracism sinceDurban.Theselaws build on of the Constitutionand include the law of 10 May 20Ol aimedagainstdiscrimination,including that on the basisof language, religiousconviction and socialorigin, and also the law of l0 May 2001 , which modifiedthat of July 1981,suppressing actionsinspiredby racismand xenophobia. In 2003 and 200J,,the law expandedthe competence the Centrefor Equal Opportunitiesand of Oppositionto Racism,giving it authorityover many additionalelements discriminationbased of on race. Question 4 Therehasbeena multiplicationof mechanisms sinceDurban,which risks to dilute the attentionthat racismdeserves. This also makesit harderfor the mechanisms be usedby to outsideris. review conference The needsto address this. A/CONF.21T /PC.2/CRP. 6 p a g e1 2 Question 5 Belgium hascompliedwith the International Convention the Eliminationof AII Forms on of RacialDiscriminationand has recentlypresented report to the Committee.The a recommendations the Committeeare takenvery seriouslyand have fundamentallyinfluenced of the elaboration relevantlegislationin Belgium. It is necessary make efforts aimed at the of to universalratification of the Convention.Every two yearsBelgium and Sloveniasubmit a resolutionto the GeneralAssembly aimed at supportingthe work of the Committee. Question 6 Belgium haspursueda programmeto promotediversity in employment,whereby employment organizations pledgeto respect policy of diversityin employment. ethical a An codehasbeenestablished the police force focusingon anti-racismand anti-discrimination in in policework. Bosnia and Herzegovina Question I Racial and other forms of discriminationare prohibitedby the Constitutionof Bosniaand Herzegovina and its two entitiesand is includedin criminal legislation. The eliminationof racial discrimination alsocarriedout throughthe promotion,recognition is and equalenjoyment of rights. Question 2 The EuropeanConventionfor the Protectionof Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms has beenincorporated into the Constitutionand hasprecedence over all other domesticlaws. The Constitutioncontainsprovisionsfor the realizationof all rights throughoutthe entireterritory, without di scrimination. Question 3 In the areaof education,Bosniaand Herzegovinaappliesa policy of equalityto educational qualiiicationsreceived,regardless which part of the nationalterritory they come of from. Students returningfrom abroadare able to have their foreign qualifications recognized. Thereare legaldecisions the equalityand useof languages alphabets constituent on and of A/CONF.211/PC.2/CRP. 6 page I 3 peoplesin the educational systemthat are also directedat eliminatingdiscrimination.All workers in Bosnia and Herzegovinaare equally remunerated work of equalvalue and thereis for no discriminationbetweenmen and women. Also, displaced persons and refugees entitledto are socialprotectionunderthe sameconditionsas other citizensof Bosniaand Herzesovina. Question 4 The establishment international of bodiesfor the protectionof humanrights, including the bodiesof the Council of Europe(the EuropeanCommissionagainstRacismand Intolerance) and the United Nations (the Committeeon the Elimination of Racial Discrimination)for combating racism,intolerance and preventionof all forms of discrimination,as well as the adoptionof the Durban Declarationand Programmeof Action, contributein a high-qualitymannerto strengthening mechanisms the protectionof humanrights throughawareness-raising target for of groupsaimed at strengthening tolerance, linking diversities,equalitybeforethe law, the reahzatron rights to equalaccess courts,the rights to freedomof conscience religion, of to and the right to education,and so on. Question 5 The InternationalConventionon the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination enteredinto force and becamebinding for Bosnia and Herzegovinain 1993.It submittedits flrst report to the Committeeon the Elimination of Racial Discriminationin 2005. Its secondreport will be submimed 2008. in Question 6 Bosnia and Herzegovinapoints to the Law on the Protectionof Rights of Persons Belongingto National Minorities as an exampleof good practices. also makesreference the It to Decisionon the Establishment Councilof NationalMinoritiesof Bosniaand Herzegovina of in the Parliamentary Assemblyof Bosnia and Herzegovina May 2006.There are many in non-governmental organizations activein Bosniaand Herzegovina that promotethe protectionof humanrights and the preservation ethnicaland cultural heritageof the minority communities. of The situationof the Roma peopleis still very difflcult, but the problemsin the fields of housing, employment,healthcare and socialwelfare are due to poverty ratherthan discrimination. A/CONF .2 1I /PC.z/CRP.6 page 14 Brazil Question I In 2003, the SpecialSecretariatforthe Promotionof Racial Equality Policiesand the National Council for the Promotionof Racial Equality were createdand the nationalpolicy for the promotion of racial equality was adopted. The SpecialSecretariat a body that directly is assists Presidency the Republicin the formulation,planningand coordinationof policies the of and parameters relatedto the promotion and protectionof the rights of racial and ethnic groups subjectto discrimination,in particularthe black population.The SpecialSecretariat also in is chargeof the implementationand coordinationof the nationalpolicy for the promotionof racial equality. Question2 Among contemporary forms of racism,specialattentionmust be paid to the diffusion of discriminatorymessages throughnew media,particularlythe Internet.Brazil goeson to cite severalexamplesof racism on the Internet. Question 3 Brazll has severallaws that include measures againstracist acts.They includethe Constitution,the Torture Law, the Law on Qualified Injury for Prejudice, Anti-discrimination the Law and the Law on Afro-Brazlhan and IndigenousHistory Education. The BrazllianStatewas the flagshipin the organization the RegionalConference the Americason the Advancesand of of Challenges the Plan of Action against in Racism,RacialDiscrimination, Xenophobia and All Forms of Discriminationand Intolerance, well as for the secondConference Africa and as of Diaspora Intellectuals, both held in Brazil, in July 2006. Question 4 The international human rights protectionsystemhas not succeed establishing in adequate protectiveparameters face the new forms of racism and racial hatred.The BrazllianState to supports extgnsionof international the protectionagainstdiscriminationto other vulnerable groups.The Brazlhan Stateconsiders relevantthe enhancing discussions of relatedto traditional A/CONF' I /PC.2/CRP. .21 6 page I 5 communities,suchas the remainingquilombosand aborigines. Promotionstrategies able to stimulatethe integrationand inclusionof socially vulnerablegroupsinto societyare essential. Question 5 Brazll signedthe lnternationalConventionon the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination onJ March 1966.and ratifiedit on2J March 1968. Question 6 Brazll refersto its programmefor remainingQuilombolacommunities,its programmes pertainingto health,educationand development, labour and income-generation, well as the as Tripartite Commissionof Equal Opportunities, National QualificationPlan and its Gender the and RaceProgramme. Bulgaria Question I The Council of Ministers has adoptedvariousstrategies plansfor equalintegrationof and persons belongingto minorities,including a strategyfor the integrationin educationof children and pupils from ethnic minorities,a healthstrategyfor persons belongingto minoritieswho are in a vulnerablesocial situation;and a plan of action for the implementation the national of housingprogramme. In2006,,the National Assemblyadopteda nationalprogrammefor the development of junior and seniorhigh schooland pre-schooleducation(2006-2015), the introductionof for for specialmeasures children whosemothertongueis not Bulgarian. Question2 Bulgaria has alwaysmaintainedthat all forms of discriminationare equallyunacceptable and all victims shouldreceivethe sametreatmentand the sameprotections againstracismand discrimination. A/CONF .21I lPC.2ICP.P .6 page I 6 Question 3 In September 2003,the National Assembly adoptedthe Law on Protectionagainst Discrimination,amendedrn 2004 and 2006,which providesenhanced protectionto all physical personsandjuridical entitieson Bulgarianterritory againstall forms of discriminationand contributes the prevention suchincidences. to of The Commission the Protection for againstDiscrimination was estabtished April 2005, in with the main objectiveto preventdiscrimination,to protectagainstdiscriminationand to ensure equalopportunities. The body imposessanctions and issuesmandatoryprescriptions changes for whereveractsof discriminationhave beencommitted.In 2006,the National Council on Ethnic and DemographicIssues, established Iggl , was reor ganrzed in into the National Council for Cooperation Ethnic and DemographicIssues, on with a greaternumberof participating ministries. Question 4 There is a risk of overlappingand duplication.The proliferationof mechanisms dedicated to racismand racialdiscrimination be detrimental. can The DurbanReview Conference a good is opportunityto decideon the rationalizatron and streamlining thesemechanisms order to of in enhance their effectiveness. Question5 Bulgaria ratified the InternationalConventionon the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discriminationin 1966and the authoritiesgive properconsideration the recommendations to of the Committeeon the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Question 6 The Commissionfor the ProtectionagainstDiscriminationprovedto be an effectiveand independent body in the preventionand control of and protectionagainstdiscrimination. A/CONF' I /PC.2/CRP.6 .21 pagel7 The National Police Department, part of the Ministry of the Interior,organizes as training sessions humanrights for police personnel, on verificationof complaintsand informationfrom different sources. The BulgarianStateAgency for Youth and Sports,the coordinatingbody of the European Youth Campaignfor Diversity, Human Rights and Participation entitled"All different - all equal", organrzed various seminars, training sessions other eventsto increase and tolerance and combatdiscrimination. The Council of ElectronicMedia includedprogrammes minoritiesin the procedures for for issuins licences. Burkina Faso Question 1 The Constitutionof Burkina Fasoprovidesfor equalityof treatment and prohibitsracial discriminationas well as all forms of discrimination.The decreeof 2004 on a codeof conduct for the nationalpolice proclaimsthat the nationalpolice is in the serviceof the nation and must discharge this obligationin accordance with humanrights and applicableinternationallaws. There is also the right to participatein public life. There is a law on non-discrimination in employmentas well as on the right for adequate housingfor all peoplein Burkina Fasowithout discrimination.Since 2006,therehas beena programmefor the construction inexpensive of housing.In January2008, the Ministry of Habitat and Urbanrzatron launcheda programmeon socialhousing.There is also the right to healthand education, right to participate cultural the in life and that of access services. to Question 2 Racismand xenophobiaare socialproblemsnot well known in Burkina Faso.Foreigners living in Burkina Fasoare well integrated and face no hostility from the local population. National societyis composed over 60 ethnic groupswith a variety of languages of and cultures. However,thereexistsin certaincommunitiespractices that may be considered discriminatory. A/CONF.211/PC.2/CRP. 6 page I 8 There are,for example,prohibitionsof marriagebetweencertainethnic groupsand castes, which havehistoricalroots.The family code,however,prohibitsdiscrimination based customary on considerations. The law prohibits forced marriagesand cloes allow prohibition of mamiage not on the basisof race,caste, religion or ethnicity. Question 3 Article I of the Constitutionprohibits discriminationof all forms. Article l9 states that the right to work is applicableto all and that therecan be no discriminationon this basis;article 5 of the family code states that foreignersin Burkina Fasoenjoy the samerights as nationals; article I 12 of the information codeprohibits defamationagainstgroupsor persons the basisof on belongingto a race,religion or region,and is punishable law, with heavyflnes for the by incitementof hatredbetweencitizensand residents. Question4 No response. Question 5 Burkina Fasoacceded the InternationalConventionon the Elimination of All Forms of to RacialDiscriminationand hasmade legislativemeasures be in conformity with the norm. It to hasproducedan initial report and periodic reportsin conformity with article 9 of the Convention. Question 6 The periodic organnationof events,such as the Panafrican Festivalof Cinemaand Televisionand the international festival of books,providesan opportunityfor betteracceptance of peopleby others. The Government alsoorganizes special daysaimedat foreigners, during which culturalactivitiesareorganized. A/CONF' LIPC.2/ .21 CRP.6 page19 Cyprus Cyprusratified the InternationalConventionon the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discriminationrn 1967 has also ratifled most Europeanand United Nationsinstruments .It relatingto discrimination.The Governmenthas enacted importantprimary anti-discrimination legislations order to harmonizewith EuropeanUnion Council Directives2000/43 ancl, in 2000/18. Therehavealsobeenimportantdevelopments caselaw. In 2001,by thejudgement in of the SupremeCourt of Cyprus on the caseof Yiallourou v. EvgeniosNicolaou, it was established that the violation of humanrights is an actionable right which can be pursuedin civil courts againstthoseperpetrating violation; victims are entitled,inter alia, to just and reasonable the compensation pecuniaryand non-pecuniary for damages. Moreover,the Combatingof Racismand Other DiscriminationLaw of 2OO4 veststhe Commissioner Administration,who is an independent for officer, with specialcompetences, dutiesand powersfor combatingand eliminatingdiscriminationin both public and private sectors. Under this law, any personor group may file a complaintto the Commissioner being for subjectto discriminationprohibitedby any law. The Commissioner can carryout investigations ex proprio motu of incidentsof discrimination. Findingsand reportsmadeby the Commissioner, when involving discriminatory provisions,terms,criteria or practicesfound in legislation,must be communicated the to Attorney-General the Republic.The Commissioner of also has the power to prepareand publish codesof practicewith regardto any activity of a public authorityor personin the private sector, obliging them to take the practicalmeasures specifiedin the code.The Commissioner a duty has to carry out surveys,preparestatistics and organize consultations meetingof persons and and groupsof different or conflicting interests. Cyprus hasratified ProtocolNo. 12to the EuropeanConventionfor the Protectionof HumanRights and Fundamental Freedoms, force sinceApril 2005.In 2005, it ratified the in Additional Protocolto the Conventionon Cybercrime. A/CONF'.2 T1/PC.2/CRP.6 page 20 Specific laws set up an institutionalframework for the examinationof international protections needs, namelyasylumapplications. Moreover,Cyprus law criminalrzes,inter alia,a numberof acts/conduct, including incitement actsor activitieslikely to causeracialdiscrimination, to violenceor hatred;public expression ideaswhich are racially insulting; publicationof materialthat promotesill-will or of hostilitybetween differentcommunities; and the establishment or participation of in organrzations promoteracial discrimination. that Denmark Question 1 The Governmenthas taken severalinitiativesof a political and legal naturein the areaof combatingdiscriminationand promoting equaltreatment. The initiatives,which are described in more detail underquestion3, include a Governmentaction plan, project funding,funding of research the scaleand origins of discrimination,establishment a board on equaltreatment on of and implementation legislation of against discrimination. Question 2 The Danishpolice has developed reportingschemes and mechanisms monitor cases to involvingpossible discrimination and to ensure unitorm practicein thesecases. cases All in which preliminary charges have beenraisedfor violation of section266b of the penal Code must be submittedto the Director of Public Prosecutions determination the final charges. for of Moreover,the final decisionsof the courtsare accessible the websiteof the Director of public on Prosecutions- addition,the Danish Securityand IntelligenceServicereceivesreportsfrom In police districtson criminal offencesand incidentsthat are believedto have a racistbackground and aredirectedat foreign nationals, well as offences as with a possible racistor religious background. Question 3 In May 2003,the Government'sAct on Ethnic Equal Treatment was adoptedby the DanishParliament. April 2004,, Act No. 253 amendingthe Act on Prohibitionof In by 2/CRP. 6 A/CONF.2I I IPC. page21 of Discriminationon the Labour Market, the employmentaspects the EuropeanUnion Racial by Equality Directive were introducedinto Danish law. The PenalCode was amended Act into force on 2 Aprrl2004.In November2003,the which entered No. 218 of 3l March2004,, Governmentlaunchedan actionplan to promoteequaltreatmentand diversity and to combat According to the Government racism as a direct offshootof the Durban Conference. platform 2007 "society of Opportunities",vfr updateof the actionplan is foreseen. a The Ministry of SocialWelfare and GenderEquality implemented four-yearattitude prejudicesand genderroles. campaignon gender-related readjustment Question 4 shouldbe avoided.If necessary, Overlaps,multiplication and duplicationof measures and rationalized.Atthe upcomingReview Conference, may needto be streamlined mechanisms should set the work of the variousmechanisms up in the aftermathof the Durban Conference thusbe evaluated. Question 5 Denmarkratified the InternationalConventionon the Elimination of All Forms of Racial of greatimportanceto the cooperation all countries Discriminationin l9l1. Denmark attaches with the Committee. Question 6 is Reference madeto the answerto core question3, where severalinitiativesand good practices Denmark are described. in Egvpt Questions1, 3 and 5 of Egypt is committedto the full implementation the Durban Declarationand Programme initiativesaimedat eliminating of Action and will exhaustall efforts to supportthe international all Egypt supports the racism,racial discrimination,xenophobiaand relatedintolerance. of to activitiesof the follow-up mechanisms the Durban Declarationand Programme Action. A/CONF.21I /PC.z/CP.P .6 page22 Egypt acknowledges that combatingracism shouldremain at the top of the international agenda,, especiallygiven the forms of intolerance towardsreligiousgroupsand minorities in different partsof the world. The legal protectionframework in Egypt includes(a) the Constitution,which spellsout basicfreedoms;(b) the ratificationof international treatiesand their domesticapplication;and (c) the criminalizatronof hatred,incitementand defamationof religion by the PenalCode. Other measures have beentaken in the fleld of education, cultureand mediato promote toleranceand combatopinionscalling for racial discrimination. Theseinclude the integrationof humanrights in the academiccurriculum for schoolsand universities, promotinghumanrights throughnon-governmental organizations providingtrainingfor the criminaljusticesector. and There are nationalmechanisms promotehuman rights in conjunctionwith international to efforts, suchas the establishment the nationalhumanrights institution,which works on legal of and constitutional reform. In Egypt, internationaltreatiesform part of the nationallegislationand the judiciary plays a role in the promotion of human rights. Questions 2 and 4 The internationalcommunity has agreedthat international frameworksshouldbe createdin accordance with the DurbanDeclarationand Programmeof Action which recommended that complementary standards createdto enhance be and complementthe International Convention on the Eliminationof All Formsof RacialDiscrimination. Countries shouldcloseexistinglegal gaps.The Council should(a) follow up on all the mechanisms and working groups;(b) be involved in the preparation the Durban review; (c) enhance for nationaland international efforts to combatracism; (d) play an activerole in filling the gapsand preparerecommendations on how bestto do this; and (e) play a critical role in the implementation the Durban Declaration of and Programme Action. There are legal and proceduralgapsthat shouldbe addressed give of to protection vulnerable groups.Otherissues be addressed to to includedefamation religionand of foreignoccupation. A/CONF .21I /PC.z/CRP.6 page23 Question 6 Egypt has established measures protectwomen and provide equalopportunities, to and has tried to mainstream religious tolerance the schoolsystem. in Egypt hascontributedto the nationaldialogueof religionsto improve socialrelationsbetweendifferent groups.Therehave beencourt rulings in 2008 that confer Muslims convertingto otherreligionsthe right to have passports without specificallystatingtheir religion; Bahai's no longerhave to carry documents indicatingthat they areMuslims. Estonia With regardto the core questions, Estoniarepliedthat, in2006, article l5l of the PenalCode was amended penalizingincitementto discriminateand providesfor liability for legal persons. The extrajudicialinstitutionswhosetask is to guarantee protectionof the constitutional rights and freedomsinclude the Chancellorof Justiceand the Commissioner for GenderEquality. Estoniahas beena party to the International Conventionon the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discriminationsince l99L The next periodicreport to the Committeeon the Elimination of Racial Discriminationwill be submittedin 2008; the points raisedin the concludingobservations 2006 will be addressed that report.The Draft Equality Act, in for in accordance with the EuropeanUnion Council Directives2000/43 and,2000/1$ foresees detailed anti-discrimination provisions, inter alia,in the areas education, of socialprotections, healthcare and access publicly availablegoodsand services. 2005,the rules to obtain Estonian to In citizenshipwere simplitied. With regardto the questions the annex,Estoniarepliedthat the Constitutionguarantees in equaltreatment courts,freedomof religion,equalityin employment in relations, inviolability the of the home, protectionof propertyand choiceof residence, right to health,the right to the education, protectionof cultural life and language the and freedomof movement. The PenalCode providesfor punishmentfor incitementto hatrecl, violation of equalityancl discriminationbasedon geneticrisks. Measures havebeenenforcedto restrainhate speech on the Internet,including statements expressing discriminatoryintolerance. No anti-Semitic,[slamophobic anti-Romaincidentsor crimeshavebeenreported. or A/CONF .2 TI /PC.2/CRP.6 page24 By its order of 26 January2006, the Governmentapprovedthe DevelopmentPlan for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings. In schools, discrimination generally is discussed within the frameworkof humanand social studies. 2006 and 2007,, specificteachertraining was conductedin the areasof In no multiculturaland anti-racist education. Finland Question I Finland has focusedits efforts on the full implementation the agreedprinciplesand of operational recommendations the Durban Declarationand Programme Action. Finlandis of of fully determinedto tackle racism,racial discrimination,xenophobia and relatedintolerance. Question 2 Manifestations anti-Semitismhave includedthreats,signsand graffiti. The persons of responsible havebeenor arebeingprosecuted underthe provisions against ethnicagitation. Membersof the Roma communitiesface discriminationin different areas, including education, employment, housingand access services. the initiativeof the Ombudsman Minorities, to At for the employmentauthoritiesstartedin 2002 a projectto make their services more effectivewith regardto the situationof Roma people.EuropeanUnion-fundedprojectson employmenthave beenalso implemented. Membersof Somali communitiesare also vulnerableto racismand racial discrimination. The Ombudsman Minorities haspromotedthe creationof a co-coordinating for body that brings togetherrepresentatives different Muslim organizations of and groups.An Islamic council was established November2A06. in Membersof Russian-speaking communities face intolerance. ad hoc working groupof An the Advisory Board for Ethnic Relationshas prepared report on the situationof this group. In a Decemb 200J a seminarwas organrzed xenophobia er on , againstRussian-speakers. A/CONF.211/PC.2/CRP.6 page 25 Question 3 to In2003, the PenalCode was amended include a provision on racist motivesas grounds cameinto force rn 2004, Severallegal measures for increasingthe severityof punishment. CouncilDirectives2000/43and Act includingthe Non-Discrimination 2l/2004 implementing in of 20OO/18; new Aliens Act; an Act on the Exerciseof F'reedom Expression Mass Media; a of Act. Compliance with the provisions the and a completelyrevisedLanguage for by Non-DiscriminationAct is supervised the Ombudsman Minorities and the National Tribunal. Di scrimination including the There are severalnationalinstitutionstighting racism and discrimination, for the Ombudsman, Ombudsman Chancellorof Justiceof the Governmentand Parliamentary for Minorities, the National DiscriminationTribunal, the Ombudsman Discriminationand the EqualityCouncil of the Aland Islands. Question 4 dedicated racism and racial discriminationcan be to The proliferationof mechanisms providesa good The Durban Review Conference detrimentalto the fight againstthesescourges. in their of opportunityto decideon the rationalizatron the mechanisms order to enhance eftectiveness. Question 5 periodicreportsto and nineteenth eighteenth Finland submittedits combinedseventeenth, in the Committeeon the Eliminationof RacialDiscrimination August2O07. Question 6 The Ministry of Educationprovidesregularfinancial supportfor activitiesaiming at In xenophobiaand relatedintolerance. 2006 and 2001,the fighting racism,anti-Semitism, Youth Campaign"All different - all equal"; Finland Council of EuropeorganizedtheEuropean joined the campaignby organizinga parallelnationalcampaign. A/CONF.21I /PC.2/CRP.6 page26 Georgia Georgiareplied to the questions the annex. in The prohibition of physicalor mentalcoercionof persons otherwiserestricted his/her in liberty is guaranteed paragraph of article ll of the Constitution.With the amendment by 3 The Criminal Code of of 2006 to the Constitution,the prohibition acquiredan absolutecharacter. Georgiawas amended 6 June 2003,allowing any act committedwith a racial motive to be on addressed a separate by article.On 14 August2003,article408 of the Codewas amended the by inclusionin the list of criminal offencesof apartheidand persecution an identifiablegroup for of reasons includingrace,nationalor ethnicorigin and religion.In June2006,the CriminalCode increasing was amended, sanctions the crime of trafficking in persons, for introducingcriminal liability and protectingthe interests victims. of In April 2006, Parliamentadoptedthe Law on CombatingTrafficking in Persons, which enteredinto force in June2006.In January2007,the President approvedthe Anti-Trafficking Action Plan for 2001-2008. prohibitingdiscrimination, In additionto the Constitution, laws containprovisions several includingthe Law on Employmentof 2001 and the Law on the Legal Status Foreigners of of 2005. The Labour Code of 2006 prohibits any kind of discriminationon the basisof race,colour, language, sex,religion,political or otheropinion,national, ethnicor socialbelonging the area in ol employment. On l9 June 2006,the Prosecutor Generalof GeorgiaissuedOrder No. 5 approvingthe Code of Ethics for Employeesof the Prosecutor's Office of Georgia,prescribinggeneral obligationsfor employees facilitatethe eliminationof all forms of discrimination. to On 4 March 2003,the President Georgiasigneda decreeapprovinga plan of actionto of strengthen the.protection rights and freedomsof variouspopulationgroupsof Georgiafor the of period2003-2005. A/CONF' I IPC.2/ .21 CP.P .6 page 27 On 26 September 2OOJthe Governmentadoptedthe Plan of Action for the , period 2007-2009on measures the implementation genderequalitypolicy in Georgia. for of Georgiaacceded the InternationalConventionon the Elimination of All Forms of Racial to Discriminationin 1999on the basisof a parliamentary decree. The Law on Refugees was amended April 2001, allowing thosewith refugeestatusto be in granteda temporaryresidence permit. On 13 October2O05, Georgiaratified the 1995FrameworkConventionfor the Protection of NationalMinorities. Germany Question I In2O02, the FederalGovernmentsubmittedits first report on currentand envisaged measures and activitiesof the FederalGovernmentagainstright-wing extremism,xenophobia, anti-Semitismand violence.On the basisof the report,the Government drew up a nationalplan of action that is due to be completedbeforethe end of 2008.Civil societywas involved in the development the plan. The FederalGovernment of holds the view that the Durbandecisions provide a soundbasisfor future action. Question 2 Germancriminal law coverscriminal offencesthat are motivatedby racism,xenophobia and anti-Semitism, defining independent elements the crimes,and punishes of thesecriminal offencesaccordingly.The spreading propaganda the useof hallmarksof unconstitutional of and organrzations incitementare criminalized.Thereare provisionsthat sanctionactions and motivatedby racism in the areaof the rights of association and assembly. J Question 3 The FederalGovernmentand the federalLrinderhave adopteda diversifiedstrategyaimed at combatinganti-Semitism. Germanyis actively involved in the work of the Task Forcefor InternationalCooperation HolocaustEducation,Remembrance Research. on and A/CON F' I 1/PC.2/CRP.6 .2 page28 With regardto the Sinti and Roma, Germanyhas beeninvolved, within the frameworkof the Organization Securityand Cooperation Europe(OSCE),in developing plan of action for in a for enhancing situationof the Sinti and Roma.In the areaof racially motivated the crime,the FederalGovernmentattaches particularimportanceto preventivework, an approach which led to in the establishment June2001,of the GermanForum for Crime Prevention, foundation a which aims at preventing right-wingextremism, xenophobia, anti-Semitism violence. and Question 4 Germanyespeciallywelcomesthe work of the Anti-Discriminationunit of the Offlce of the High Commissioner Human Rights,to which it hasdedicated for financialandpersonnel resources. Germanyactively cooperates with all existinginstruments; participates all open it in sessions the different working groups.The Durban Review Conference of providesa good opportunityto evaluatethe work done so far and to decideon possiblerationalization with a view to enhancing effectiveness the systemestablished fight racism. the of to Question 5 Germanyratified the InternationalConventionon the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination 1969.In response the concludingobservations the Committee the rn to of on E,limination Racial Discrimination,Germanyhas also conformedto the complaintsprocedure of for individualspursuant article 14 of the Convention. to Question 6 At the regionallevel, Germanysupported establishment a tolerance the of and non-discrimination within the OSCE Office for Democratic unit Institutions and Human Rishts. Germanyalsorepliedto several questions from the annex. A/CONF.21I lPC.2/CP.P .6 page29 Hungary Hungary replied to the questions the annex. in With regardto the right to equaltreatmentin court, in additionto the constitutional provisions,Act CXL of 2004 on the generalrules of official administrative procedures and services declaresamong its basicprinciplesthat, in the courseof official administrative procedure, exclusion,discriminationor restrictionis forbidden. all Act CXIV of 2005 concerns alterationof certainlaws relatedto nationaland ethnic the minorities and the electionof representatives minority governments. of Law CXXV of 2003 concerningequaltreatment and the promotionof equalopportunity cameinto force in January2004.The aim is to proceedagainstall forms of discrimination, the right to dignified human respect, protectionof humanand fundamental the civil rights and the provision of efficient legal defencefor thosesufferingfrom discrimination. In March 2004,the Governmentadoptedits decreeNo. 1021/2004 (III. l8) on the governmental programmeand measures the promotionof Roma people'ssocialintegration, for which definedgovernmental actionsfor the period 2004-2006. June 2006,the Hungarian In Parliamentadopteda resolutionon the Decadeof Roma InclusionProgramme StrategicPlan 68/2007(VI.28). For the implementation the Parliamentary of resolutionin December2001 the ,, Governmentapproveda governmental plan of action for the period 2008-2009 in decision | 105 /2001 (XII.2] ). Act I of 2004 concerningsportsprescribesfor organrzers any event the obligation to of order any participants inciting to hatredor racismto discontinue theseactivities. In the field of anti-discrimination, tasksand objectivesdetermined governmental the in verdict 68/2001(Vl. 28) concerningthe Decadeof Roma InclusionProgramme Strategic Plan refer to the most importantcomplex measures that may for a significantperiod of time assure real socialand the economicintegrationof the poor, including,in greatproportion,the Roma. A/CONF .2I I lPC.2/CP.P .6 page30 The period 2005-2015has beendesignated Decadeof Roma Inclusion.The the governmental plan of action for the period 2008-2009relatedto the Decadeof Roma Inclusion Programme StrategicPlan envisages measures relatedto the promotion of the mainstreaming of equaltreatmentand anti-discrimination. In September ZOO3,Law/LXXIXof 1993on education was modified.Many alterations were introducedfor the integrationof children and pupils with disadvantages. The Hungarianasylum law was recodifiedin 2007 to comply with relevant EuropeanUnion legislationand to introducethe conceptof subsidiaryprotectionto Hungarian domesticlaw. Iran (Islamic Republic of) Question I In its response, Islamic Republic of Iran statesthat, as a matterof-policy and practice,it the is opposedto any form of discrimination.It makesreference guidelinesproducedby the Head to of the nationaljudiciary regardingprocedures be followed to ensurenon-discrimination the to in conductof legal proceedings. Reference also madeto a bill of citizen's rights,one of the main is principlesof which is to ensure enjoymentof equalrightsby all, irrespective ethnicorigin, the of race,colour or sex. A committeefor the removal of discriminationhasbeencreatedas well as a humanrights centre.The latter receivesindividual complaintsarisingfrom the violation of humanrights and fundamental freedoms.Measures have beentakento address needsof the nomadicgroupsand refugees. The issues political participation education, of and particularly as relatesto ethnic groups,have beenaddressed. Question 2 Therehas beenan increase racist violenceand xenophobiain many partsof the world as in well as of defamationof religion, the rejectionof diversity and Islamophobia incitement or against Islam.Commentis madeon the situationin the Occupied Palestinian Territories, which constitutes violationof a wide rangeof civil and politicalrights. a A/CONF' I /PC.2/CRP. .2T 6 page3 I Question 3 The Islamic Republicof Iran mentionsthe Asian preparatory meetingthat it organizedin the lead-upto the World Conference Against Racismin 2001. It was also a memberof the bureauof the Preparatory Committee,the generalcommitteeof the World Conference and chairmanof the Drafting Committeeat the World Conference. has also led the way in several It initiatives,suchas the DialogueamongCivilizations, General the Assemblyresolution human on rights and cultural diversity and the Ministerial Conference the Non-Aligned Movementon of human rights and cultural diversity. Question 4 In its response, Islamic Republicof Iran states the that an escalation systematic in racism and racial discriminationcan still be seenin somepartsof the world. Somecountriesdo not show sufficient commitmentto the implementation the Durban Declarationand Programme of of Action and an eft-ective and continuousmechanism needed monitor implementation. is to Due attentionmust be given to new forms and manifestations racism,racial discriminationand of xenophobia. Question 5 The Islamic Republicof lran has ratified the International Conventionon the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discriminationand dulv considers and dealswith its recommendations. Question 6 Resources have beenchannelled peripheralregionsof the country,where ethnicgroups to tend to resideto improve their standard living. of Ireland Question I In its response, Governmentof Irelandindicatesthat, in 2001, it launcheda three-year the programmeentitled"Know racism",with the aim of stimulatingan anti-racismawareness awareness racism and respectfor cultural diversity.The programmecompletedits three-year of term in December2004 and was followed by the National Action Plan Against Racism.The Plan was launchedin Januarv2005 and can be seenas the most sienificantGovernmentof Ireland A/CONF' 1/PC.2/CRP.6 .21 page32 policy development the anti-racismarea. in The publicationof the Plan was in fulfilment of the commitmentgiven at the World Conference againstRacismin Durban, rn20Ol. Irelandis one of the leadingStates puttinga nationalactionplan against in racismin place. Question 2 Although the Prohibitionof lncitementto HatredAct is robust,thereis currentlyno criminal law provisionwhich definesracistoffences. Research into this aspect been has commissioned underthe NationalConsultative Committee Racismand Interculturalism. on Statistical informationfrom the NationalPoliceForceshowsthat,while raciallymotivated crimesare increasing, overallfiguresare relativelylow. The NationalConsultative the Committeeon Racismand Interculturalism also recordsincidentsrelatedto racismand periodicallypasses them on to the EuropeanUnion Fundamental Rights Agency.The Chief of the Police Forcehas issueda directiveconcerningstrategies services meetthe needsof a and to more diversesociety,and 500 ethnic liaison officers havebeenappointed. The PoliceForceis activelyrecruitingpeoplefrom minority communities. Question 3 The NationalConsultative Committeeon Racismand Interculturalism the key policy is tool usedto combatracism in Ireland.It encompasses key themes:protection,inclusion, f-ive provision,recognition and participation. strategic A monitoringgroup,involving State representatives civil society,oversees implementation the Plan.The Plan is used and the of primarily to make strategicinterventions, pursuespecificresearch consultancy to or projectsand to undertake public awareness campaigns and grant schemes. Irelandalso mentionsa rangeof otherpolicy and legislative measures address to racism. Question 4 Irelandoutlineshow their NationalConsultative Committee Racismand on Interculturalism assisted in combating has it racismand promotingpositivediversity management programmes. A/CON F.2 I I IPC. 2/CRP.6 page33 Question 5 Irelandsignedthe International Convention the Eliminationof All Formsof Racial on Discrimination 1968and ratifiedit in 2000.Irelandhasalsoagreed individualpetitions in to underarticle 14.The Government Irelandpointsout that it hasengaged very successful of in dialoguewith the Committeeof the Conventionconcerningits recommendations. Question 6 The NationalConsultative Committee Racismand Interculturalism published on has a major research project on good practices lreland, NorthernIreland and Scotland. in Italy Question I Italy is in a position to assess implementation the Durban Declarationand the of Programmeof Action in order to fully implementagreed principlesand operational recommendations includedtherein,in line with the commitments EuropeanUnion member of Stateswithin the regionalseminarfor the preparation the DurbanWorld Conference of promoted and organizedby Italy. Question 2 According to the substantial contentsof the DurbanDeclarationand Programme Action, of with specificregardto contemporary manifestations racism,raciaL of discrimination, xenophobia and relatedintolerance, measures and instruments assess combatthesephenomena Italy to and in apply to all potentialvictims in all the fields in which discriminatoryconductand actsare carried out. Question 3 The fight againstall manifestations racism,racial discrimination, of xenophobia and relatedintolerance at the core of the Italian Constitutionand its judicial code,which are both is focusedon the principle of non-discrimination and, more widely, on the protectionof the individual. The Governmentof Italy actedpromptly to transpose European Union Directive 2000/43lECby adoptingLegislativeDecreeNo. 215/2003.The decreehasthe added value of affirming the equaltreatment all persons the public and private sectors of in with regard .6 A/CON F.2 I I lPC.2/CP.P page34 to many and varied rights. The National Office for the Elimination of Racial Discriminationhas in beenestablished the Prime Minister's Office. The Office has opened351 discriminationfiles, has by objectivediscrimination beenfound to havebeensuffered the and in 218 of thesecases, supportfor victims of discrimination. victim. In2O06, the Office worked on a study to guarantee of Territorial focal points are also involved in the implementation information and sing awareness-rai campaigns. Question 4 and Italy hasworked in closecollaboration with all existingmechanisms bodieswithin the by lJnitedNations system,in particularin its repliesto questionnaires someSpecialRapporteurs of expertssince 2002,as well as in the organization a visit by the Special and independent Rapporteur racism,racial discrimination,xenophobiaand relatedintolerance. on Question 5 Italy has ratified the lnternationalConventionon the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and reportsperiodicallyto the Committeeon the Eliminationof Racial Discrimination. Question6 have beenpromotedin the field of sportseventsas well as in schoolsand Good practices An universitiesin the framework of the initiativesof the EuropeanYear of Equal Opportunities. anti-racismsloganwas adoptedfor a marathonin Rome. Also, during that event,anti-racism Threeworkshops at events. wereheld banners were displayed football,volleyballand basketball Romaand Sinti. Otheractivities in universities the issueof racialdiscrimination on against and The National Office for the schools. eventshave also beenorganizedrn primary and secondary Elimination of Racial Discriminationhas fosteredother initiativesin the field of employment. Japan The Government continued promotehumanrightseducation has to and numerous activities to enlightenpeopleon humanrights protection.It has found it importantto ensurethat study how to properly respecttheir basichumanrights,deepentheir level of schoolchildren understanding different ethnic groupsand eliminateracial or ethnic discriminationand of A/CONF' .21I/PC.2/CRP .6 page35 junior high schools prejudice. Elementary schools, and seniorhigh schools provideguidance on mattersregardingrespectfor humanrights throughgeneraleducation activities.Theseschools also provide educationthat will lead to a deeperunderstanding respect the way of life and for and culturesof peoplesof foreign countries. The Constitutionof Japanstipulates that all peopleare equalunderthe law. The dissemination and expression racially discriminatorythoughtdamagingthe honour or integrity of of a certainindividual or group can be penaltzed underthe crime of defamation. addition, In intimidatory contentaimed at specificindividualscan be penalrzed underthe crime of intimidation in the PenalCode.Regardingdiscriminationby private individuals,if an illegal act has beencommitted,thosewho commit it are liable for damases. Japanacceded the International to Conventionon the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discriminationin 1995,therebydemonstrating commitmentto thosevalues.Japan,as a State its party, has beenstriving and will continueto strive to eliminateall forms of racism,racial discrimination,xenophobiaand relatedintolerance. Latvia Question 1 Latvia has incorporated two major sources EuropeanUnion legislation,the the of Directiveson Racial Equality and on EmploymentEquality, into its nationallegislationand continuesto supplement The directivesaddress it. discriminationon the groundsof race,ethnic origin, religion, disability, ageand sexualorientation. The core nationallegal actsthat now includetheseelements the Labour Law, the StateCivil ServiceLaw and the Administrative are Violations Code.Amendments other actsof leeislationhavebeendrafted. to Question 2 Latvia makesan effort to preventmanifestations racismand intolerance, of and usesall measures combatthem where they occur.The numberof complaintsto the ombudsman to on racialdiscrimination beengrowing over recentyears,showingthat the public considers a has this crediblemechanism address to their humanrights problems. A/CON F' I I lPC.2/CRP.6 .2 page36 Question 3 Concrete measures takenarelistedin the reply to question 5. Question 4 Latvia considers existingDurban follow-up mechanisms the adequate, both the national at and internationallevels,but cautionsagainstthe prolif-eration, duplicationand overlapof mechanisms dedicated the fight againstracism and intolerance. to Question 5 Three major provisionswere addedto the Criminal Code between2005 and 2007:one criminalrzingincitementto genocide;anotherintroducingracist motivationinto the list ofaggravating circumstances be taken into accountby the courtswhen decidingupon a sanction; to and anotherclarifying the distinctionbetweenracial discriminationand racist speech. Other provisionsthat enteredinto force in 200J relatedto incitementto national,ethnic and racial hatred, breaches prohibitionof discrimination of and incitement religiousenmity,all with to corresponding penalprovisions.In April 2004,the Labour Code was amended introducea to clearprohibitionof discrimination, includingon the groundsof race,skin colour,religiousbelief and nationalorigin. The Code alsocontains provisionsallowingfor shared burdenof proof in discrimination cases. Similar provisionswere incorporated into the Law on SocialSecurity. Two main policy documents havebeendeveloped and implemented with the aim of preventing and fighting discrimination:the National Programmefor the Promotionof Tolerance; and the "Roma in National Programme Latvia" with a corresponding plan of action,which are aimedat promotinginclusionand integration the Roma community. of Question 6 A Latvian court recentlyordereda companyto pay compensation mentalanguish for suffbred a Roma womanwho had beendiscriminated by against ethnicgrounds. on This seta positiveprecedent. The secretariat the SpecialAssignments of Minister for Social Integrationhas developed numberof innovativeinitiativesin the areaof education a that promotethe rights of the Romain Latvia. A/CONF' I /PC.2/CRP.6 .21 page37 Lebanon In its response the core questions to and thosein the annex,Lebanonstates that it is party to the International Conventionon the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discriminationand that the Lebanese enjoy civil and political rights on an equalbasis;thereis equaltreatment beforethe law. All persons, whetherLebanese foreigners, equalbeforecriminal courts, or are accordingto the criminal procedurelaw. All Lebanese laws prohibit the use of violenceagainst individuals, includingtorture.Article 401 of the PenalCodeprovidesthat anyonewho uses illegal force shall be liable to imprisonmentfrom threemonthsto threeyears.Other rights guaranteed the Constitutionare participationin public and political life, freedomof religion in and belief, equalpay and the right to education. Lebanonhas established humanrights sectionwithin the Directorateof the Internal a Police Force.This sectionhas the task of protectinghumanrights amongsecuritystaff, raising awareness, protectinghumanrights,preparingdraft laws and by-laws in line with humanrights, educatingand documentingall that is relatedto humanrights,conductingresearch specific on cases relatedto humanrights, coordinatingwith grass-roots level, regionaland international organrzations human rights issues, on and creatinga database humanrights in the country. on Lebanese law hasprovisionsfor all crimes,including crimesrelatedto racial discrimination.Securityforcesdo not discriminatebetweenLebanes citrzens e and foreignersor betweenraces.Lebanonis party to the protocol on trafficking in persons; althoughthe criminal code doesnot mentiontrafficking as a crime, it providesfor sexualexploitation.All migrantsto Lebanon,whetherlegal or illegal, aregovernedby the law and their affairs are organized, accordingto the law on Entranceto Lebanonand Residence 1962.This law doesnot of contradictinternational human rights law and dealswith all on the basisof equality.Lebanonis committedto the ConventionagainstTorture in accordance with civil and political rights. Lebanonis not a country of major refugeedestination and is not party to the | 95 I Conventionon Refugees to the protocol or issuesrelatedto refugees, nor exceptfor Palestinians, accordingto the memorandum understanding of signedby the Government Lebanonand the of United lrlationsHigh Commissioner Refugees. for Lebanonrespects rights of asylum-seekers the and refugees recognized UNHCR. InternallydisplacedLebanese providedwith supportby by are the Governmentuntil they are returnedto their original villages. A/CONF.21I lPC.2/CRP.6 page38 Liechtenstein Question I Liechtenstein implementedseveralmeasures programmes the frameworkof a has and in nationalplan of action againstracism. Improvements have beenachievedwith regardto legislation, awareness-raising the dissemination relevantinformation. and of Question 2 Manifestations racism,racial discrimination,xenophobiaand relatedintolerance of have beendecreasing recentyearsand are very rare in general.The Governmenthas mandated in the ViolenceProtection Commission developa strategy to against right-wingextremismin Liechtenstein. Question 3 Following the DurbanConference, Governmentof Liechtenstein the established working a group to elaborate five-yearnationalaction plan againstracism.Between2003 and 2007 a a ,, seriesof preventivemeasures projectswere implementedin cooperation and with the public administration, non-governmental organizations and representatives different sectors of of society. A more restrictiveinterpretation a revision of article 283 of the Criminal Code with or regardto the public displayof racist paraphernalia currentlyunderexamination. is Question 4 The Durban follow-up mechanism has so far neglected strengthen to measures aimedat inducing States Membersof the United Nationswhich are not yet partiesto the International Convention the Eliminationof All Formsof RacialDiscrimination on and its individual complaintmechanism adhere this legal instrument to to and its monitoringregimewithout delay. The establishment specialized of regionalmonitoringmechanisms, suchas the European Commission Racismand Intolerance, on shouldbe promotedin the Durbanfollow-up process. A/CONF'.21I /PC.2ICRP.6 page39 Question 5 ratified the Conventionin 2000 and promptly submittedthreecountry reports Liechtenstein of to the Committeeon the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.The recommendations the in Committeearebeing implemented the framework of the nationalaction plan againstracism. Question 6 relatingto the fight of holds as a good practicethe centrahzing questions Liechtenstein within a singlecentralstandingbody in the againstracial discriminationand relatedintolerance personsand victims. In public administration which also servesas a contactpoint for interested and of this way, the implementation measures the reportingobligationsunderdiffcrent in The Office for Equal Opportunities internationalregimescan be bettercoordinated. of not Liechtenstein only dealswith issues racial discriminationbut also with other forms of on in The Office is backedup by the high-levelCommission Equal discrimination general. and consistingof the Chief of GovernmentSecretary headed the Permanent by Opportunities, issueof equal Police and the Directorsof the six nationaloffices dealingwith the cross-cutting opportunity. in Liechtenstein also providedrepliesto the questions the annex. Norway Question 1 The NorwegianPlan of Action to CombatRacismand Discrimination(2002-2006) The needsof ethnic minorities of many recommendations the Durban Declaration. incorporated levels:State, or are includedin broad generalprogrammes policies at the variousadministrative the regionaland local. In 2006, threenew institutionsstartedtheir operations: Equality and Tribunal;and the the Ombudsman; Equalityand Anti-Discrimination Anti-Discrimination Directorateof Integrationand Diversity. The Anti-DiscriminationAct also cameinto force in 2006.Other initiativeshavebeenstartedat the policy level to provide betterprotectionto policiesin the field of for A minority populations. leadministryresponsible coordinating has anti-discrimination also beencreated. A/CONF' I lPC.z/CRP .21 .6 page40 Question 2 Subtleforms of discrimination, especially the labourand housingmarkets, in reportedly continueto exist in Norwegiansociety.The Anti-Discrimination Ombudsman receives most complaints discrimination of basedon ethnicityin employment. Unemployment among immigrants considerably is higherthan in the general population. Vulnerablegroups,suchas the vocationallydisabled,youth and the long-termunemployed,are thereforeconsidered target groupsin marketpolicy, and are given priority when it comesto labour market measures. has It beenobserved that immigrants from certainplaces, suchas the IslamicRepublicof lran and Somalia, experience most discrimination, while men experience more discrimination than women.The Ombudsman proposednew measures tackle the problem that the Government has to is now considering combatdiscrimination to exercised public sectorauthorities. by Question 3 The Plan of Action to CombatRacismand Discrimination includes48 measures covering the labour market,education, law and order sectors, Internet,local communities,racist the expressions others. and The Equalityand Anti-Discrimination Act on prohibitionagainst discrimination based ethnicity,religionand so on appliesto all relevantareas society. on of The Ombudsman the taskof monitoringthe implementation the provisions has of contained the in Act. A Commission propose comprehensive to a anti-discrimination was appointed the law by Government 2001and will submitits recommendations 2009. in in Question 4 Norway considers irnportantto combatmultiple discriminationand to incorporate it a genderperspective all efforts againstracism.Statesand non-governmental in organizations shouldwork togetherto promotetolerance. Question 5 The Anti-DiscriminationAct and other relevantlegal amendments have enacted the International Convention the Eliminationof All Formsof RacialDiscrimination on into Norwegianlaw. tn" equality and Anti-Discrimination Ombudsman monitorscompliance with the Convention. A/CONF' I IPC.2/CRP.6 .21 page4l Question 6 Good practices includepromotingpoliciesof hiring immigrants public and private in spheres, moderateaffirmative action in 12 Governmentservices and the establishment a Roma of People'sFund,which is aimed at improving opportunities cultural activitiesand for discontinuing policy of assimilation the towardsthe Romapeople. Portugal Question 1 The High Commissionfor Immigrationand InterculturalDialoguehas beenvery active in the areasof racism,racial discrimination, xenophobia and relatedintolerancein Portugaland has established numerousprojectsand initiatives.In20O4,it createdthe National Immigrant Support Centresin Lisbon and Oporto.The High Commissionalso createdthe Local ImmigrantsSupport Centres,a local network that providesinformationfor migrants.The Government has implementeda nationalplan for the integrationof migrants.Since 2003,the National Action Plansfor Inclusionincludedspecificmeasures aimed at immigrantsand the Roma population. By a resolution,the Council of Ministers, in20O'7, approveda plan for immigrant integration coveringareassuch as employmentand education. 200'7, new servicewas set up to report In a illegal and xenophobiccontentsfound on the Internet. Question 2 The patternsof racismhave not changed recentyears.Manifestations slight and in are subtle,not blatantand open.The work of the High Commissionand of nationalhumanrights institutions havehelpedin the struggle against racism. Question 3 The transposition the European of RaceDirective is one of the elementsof Portuguese legal machineryagainstracism.The Criminal Policy F'ramework Law of 2006established that the Portuguese criminal justice systemhad to define prioritiesregardingthe preventionancl investigation crimes,includingracialones.The SocialInclusionBenefitunder a2003law was of developed a socialpolicy measure as coveringforeigners legallyresident Portugal. in This is a new citizenshipright that is not linked to economicactivities.A law that cameinto effect in 2007 established new juridical regimeof entry, residence, the departure and deportation of A/CONF .21I lPC.2/CRP.6 page42 foreigners nationalterritory,includingthe creationof a singleresidence in document and the elimination of preventivedetentionfor illegal immigrants.There was also the approvaland entry into force of a new criminalcodebringingPortuguese closerto the European law Commission's policy on racialdiscrimination. Question 4 The internationalmechanisms effective.not onlv thoseat the United Nationslevel but are alsothoseat the European level. Question 5 Portugalsubmittedreportsto the Committeeon the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, the last one beins.in 2004. Question 6 A systemof "socioculturalmediators"is operationalin Lisbon and Oporto; thereare currently97 suchmediators. The High Commission Immigrationand Intercultural for Dialogue createdthe Roma CommunitiesSupportCabinetaimed at ensuringupward socialmobility to Roma communities. innovative An programme called"My schoolagainst discrimination" has alsobeenestablished. Qatar The Governmentof Qatarhas takenmeasures combatracism and to guarantee rights to the of individualsto enjoy humanrightson an equalbasis.The Constitution the first document is that providesfor justice, freedomand equality;peopleare all equalbeforethe law, without discrimination. Thereare no articlesprovidingdiscrimination between citizensand residents; all legal residents enjoy the protectionof the law. The right to vote and to run for office is only enjoyedby citizensbut thereis nothingin the law that deniesforeigners right to petitionthe the Governmenton any issue.The right to religion of belief, the right to equalpay for equalwork, the right to adequate housing,health,education, access public placesand the right to cultural of life apply to crtizens and residents alike. In additionto ratifying the International Conventionon the Elimination of All Forms of RacialDiscrimination, to diversityin the legaland political Qatarhastakenmeasures guarantee A/CONF' I /PC.2/CRP.6 .21 page43 systems. The issuesof racial incitementand racial hatredare mentioned. There arejudicial remediesfor all people.International treaties have the sameforce as nationallaw. Combating racial discrimination,xenophobiaand relatedintolerance the responsibilityof the Stateand is thereis a process under way to establish nationalplan to enhance a humanrights. Basedon this nationalplan, a sub-preventive plan to combatracial discriminationand xenophobiawill be considered, aiming at enhancing diversity,equality,socialjusticeand the participation all, of with the aim of creatingan enablingenvironmentfor everybodyto participateactively in decision-making to reahze and civil, political,economic, culturaland socialrightswithout discrimination. Societyin Qatar is diverseand thereare many migrant workers;no cases xenophobia of and intolerance havebeenobserved. This diversity would createracial problemsif preventive measures were not taken;that is why the Governmentis taking all the measures promotethe to participationof all on an equalbasis.All residents Qatarhave a right to learn their own of language private schools.The nationalcommissionon populationhasrecommended in the establishment communitiesof migrant workersthat are easily accessible their placesof of to work but relatively isolatedfrom families' residences, which might be considered form of a discrimination. There are laws in force that includeprotectionfor domesticworkers.The Stateis witnessing dynamicdevelopment the legalsector, a in includinglaws against racism,suchas the law on nationality,civil serviceand housing.There are recommendations the reunificationof on migrant workers' families and others.There are also measures raiseawareness diversity. to and Romania Question 1 Efforts by Romaniamaterialized the adoptionof a comprehensive coherent in and legislativeframework and in the establishment institutionswith competencies combating of in racism.Therehavealsobeena series strategies public policiesdeveloped of and and implemented promotediversity and equalopportunitycontainingspecificmeasures to for disadvantaged vulnerable and groups. A/CONF.2I I lPC.2/CRP. 6 page44 Question2 Therehavebeenisolated public manif-estations the contextof certainsportingevents. in Intolerance discriminatory and manifestations towardsmembers the Romaminority still exist. of Peopleare entitledto bring cases discriminationbeforethe courtsand any personcan file a of complaintto the NationalCouncilfor CombatingDiscrimination to the Ombudsman. or Statistics the NationalCouncilfor Combating of Discriminationshow that cases of discriminationbasedon ethnicity are prevalent. Two administrativesanctions were appliedfor violationsof race-related provisions anti-discrimination between2OO3 2O0l. and Question 3 The RomanianConstitution,revisedrn2O03,providesfor the principle of equalityamong In2002, the Emergency prohibitedany organization symbolwith a fascist, citizens. Ordinance or racistor xenophobiccharacter. F'urther amendments the Ordinanceoffer an extended to definition of the Holocaustso as to include the Roma people.The Audio-visual Law of 2002 forbadeprogrammes containingany form of incitementto hatred,including on the basisof race, nationalityand religion,from beingbroadcast. The law on political partiesof 2003 ensures the representation all 20 nationalminoritiesexistingin Romaniain Parliament. of The law on preventionand combatingsocialmarginahzation guarantees access all personsof rights to to housing,work, medicalinsurance education. and The law of 2006on immigrationprovidesa legal protectionframeworkfor foreignersapplying for asylum.Other governmental decisions takensince2002imposean obligationon public institutions ensure protection all to of foreigners. The National Agency for Roma was createdrn20O4to address public policies affectingthe Roma people.The National Council for CombatingDiscriminationdesigned the NationalStrategy Implementing for Measures Preventand CombatDiscrimination to (2001-2013). Otherculturaland educational programmes havebeenstarted. Question 4 The proliferationof mechanisms aimed at combatingracism could underminethe effectiveness anti-discrimination of strategies dissipating by energies reducingthe visibility and of the initiatives. Thereis fear of duplication and overlapand thereis lack of clarity in the mandates and objectivesof the existingmechanisms. A/CONF.21I IPC. 2/CRP.6 page45 Question 5 In2002, Romaniasubmitted declaration accordance a in with article 14 of the International Conventionon the Elimination of All forms of Racial Discrimination recognrzing the competence the Committeeon the Eliminationof RacialDiscrimination. of Question 6 Anti-discriminationmessages were broadcast televisionand radio stations, by with the participationof relevantministriesand agencies. projectshave beenundertaken Successful with civil society,suchas the Roma HealthMediator,which addresses complexhealthissues facedby the Roma communitv. Russian Federation In the RussianFederation, thereare no political partieswith platformsbasedon ideasof racial superiority.The political process the country is in accordance in with the respectof the principleof non-discrimination the fight against and racismin the political,socio-economic and cultural spheres. The Constitutionof the RussianFederation 1993forbids any kind of of discrimination.Legal provisionsforbidding discriminationin the areaof employmentwere includedin the Labour Law. In particular,article 3 of the Labour Code (No. I9l-FZof 30 December2006)forbids the limitation of labourrights and freedomsof anyoneon the groundsof race,skin colour,nationality, language, origin,placeof residence, religion and political beliefs.In July 2002,the GovernmentadoptedFederalLaw No. I l4-tr2 against extremistsacts(amended July 2006 and May 2001),which defined legal and organizational in groundsfor fighting extremism.The law containsa definition of "extremistacts". In order to fight all forms of nationalismand intolerance, in2006, the Public Chamberof the Russian Federation was established, within which the Commission Public Chamber of on issuesof toleranceand freedomof conscience operates. In 2001, the Governmentadoptedthe draft federaltargeted programmeentitled "Formation of basis-oftolerantconsciousness preventionof extremismin Russiansociety(2001-2005)". and In May 2006,in Moscow,the leaders 12 politicalpartiessignedapactto counteract of nationalism, xenophobia religioushatred. and A/CONF'.21I lPC.2/CRP.6 page46 In May 2001,federallaw No. 49-FZ on the territoriesof traditionalnaturemanagement by peoplewas adopted. accordance indigenous In with orderNo. 185-rof 2l February2005,in the Ministry of regionaldevelopment the Russian of Federation thereis ongoingwork for the preparation normativedocuments the establishment territoriesof traditionalnature of for of management indigenous people. by The rights of minoritiesare guaranteed the Constitutionand the FederalLaw of in April 1999No. 82-FZ, and in other federalnormativeacts. The f-ederal on national-cultural law autonomies was amended June 2004,entitling them in to financial supportfor the preservation their nationalorigin, the development their mother of of tongueand nationalculture.The FederalLaw on Legal Groundsof the RussianFederation on Culture,mostrecentlyamended January in 2007,guarantees peopleand ethnicgroupsthe right to preserve and enhance their cultural-national identity, protection,restorationand preservation of native culturallv-historical areasof residence. In December 2003,the PenalCodewas amended article l2l on traffickingin persons. by In 2007,200 cases xenophobicattacksand conflicts were reported. of Senegal Question I The Governmentof Senegal in the processof establishing formal mechanism is a to evaluatethe applicationof the Durban Declarationand Programmeof Action at the national level. So far, no complainthasbeenreceived thejustice systemtouchingon the issueof racial in discrimination. Question2 To date,no racistactionshavebeenseenin the country.Senegal embodiestolerance and hasan old traditionof harmonious coexistence culturesand dialogueof religionsin a nation of comprisrng94 per cent Muslims, 5 per cent Christiansand I per cent atheists. The former president Senegal, of SedarSenghor, not come from a majority ethnic group and was a did A/CONF.2TL/PC.2/CRP. 6 page47 Catholic,and presidedover the country for over 20 years,which demonstrates the societyin that Senegal open and basedon individual merit. Marriagesbetweenpeopleof different ethnic is groupsare commonplace and considered natural. Question 3 Before the adoptionof the Durban Declarationand Programmeof Action, the State adopteda numberof legislativemeasures aimed at addressing issueof racial discrimination. the This has ensured enactment laws with relationto article4 of the International the of Convention on the Eliminationof A11 F'orms RacialDiscrimination. of Theselaws includethoseon illegal associations, seditious politicalparties, associations, and racialand religiousdiscrimination. The PenalCode alsocontains provisions focusingon non-discrimination providingfor severe and sanctions against discrimination. This appliesalsoin otherdomains, suchas nationality, employment,social securityand family. In 2006,by a decisionof the Government, reform was a madeproviding for medical cover of a husbandand childrenby the wife, which was originally only applicableto the husband. Senegal also createdthe High Commissionfor Human Rights and the Promotionof Peace. which works on humanrishts issues. a Question 4 The different follow-up mechanisms Durban haveheld regular sessions dealt of and with racismissues. However,it is importantto explorethe following issues their mandates: in human rights education;plansto articulateproblemsrelatedto racism in the periodic reviewsof the Human Rights Council; aspects linked with the tight againstpoverty; and bettercoordination beforethe different mechanisms. Question 5 Senegal has compliedwith the International Conventionon the Elimination of All Forms of RacialDiscrimination and hasput in placea numberof nationalmeasures thejudicial and in constitutionalspheres. The Constitutionis consistent with the Conventionand its structures and laws are also in conformity with it. The Conventionhasbeenincorporated into national legislatibn, well as in the PenalCodeand laws on seditious as associations. A/CONF .2I I /PC.2/CRP.6 page48 Question 6 The Senegalese Constitution providesfor equalaccess land for men and women.In that to regard, thereis no law prohibitingthe acquisition land in Senegal foreigners. of by Slovak Republic Question 1 In its manifesto 2002,the Government the SlovakRepublicmadea commitment of of to guarantee civil freedomsand humanrights and to combatall forms of intolerance. Also, sinceits entry into the EuropeanUnion rn2O04,the Governmenthas pursuedthe relevant European Union humanrightspoliciesand directives racialequatityand employment on equality that areapplicable thejurisdictionof European to Union memberStates. Question 2 The rise of discriminationis a causefor concernand, in the contextof the Durban Declarationand Programme Action, hasenabledthe international of community to have a consensual strategy combatracism,racialdiscrimination, to xenophobia and relatedintolerance. Question 3 The Anti-Discrimination Act, in force sinceJuly 2004,regulates application the the of principleof equaltreatment. contains It provisions equalitythat are embedded the on in Constitution,nationallaws and international treaties. The Anti-DiscriminationAct transposed several European Union directives into Slovaklegislation, introducing new legalconcepts that had not beenaddressed Slovaklaws on discrimination by and extending grounds which the on discrimination prohibited. is The plan of actionfor the prevention all forms of discrimination, of racism,xenophobia and intolerance beenupdatedseveraltimes sinceit was first prepared has in 2000.The 2006-2008 plan of actionlists the prioritiesto be pursued, which includetraining, investigation legislation. and Intensified monitoring,the implementation activitiesaimedat of disadvantaged membersof the population,the promotion of cultural activitiesand other promotionalwork are pursuedby the inter-ministerialgroup chargedwith the implementation of the plan. ln2004, the competence the Slovak National Centrefor Human Rights was of extended the Government'swork in combatingracism and has improved the rights of to discriminated Roma. A/CONF.2TI /PC.z/CRP.6 page49 Question 4 The Durban Declarationand Programme Action createdthe basisfor the international of community to tackle racism and the review conference shouldserveas an evaluationmechanism. The multiplication of follow-up mechanisms could, however,createoverlapsthat underminethe process. Question 5 In August2O04,the Committeeon the Elimination of Racial Discriminationassessed two periodic reportsof the State.In May 2008,in line with the recommendations the of Committee,threemore periodic reportswill be submitted,addressing the concluding alt observations made in2004. The Criminal Code,which becameeffective in 2006,hasenacted criminal sanctions activitiesthat lead to the infringements humanrights in relationto racial for of di scriminationand hatred. Question 6 The Governmentof the Slovak Republicemploysa wide rangeof strategic instruments, including financial programmes and initiatives,to meet its commitmentsin the struggleagainstracism.Therehavebeeneight projectsfocusingon awareness-raising on discrimination-rel issues. ated Sweden Question I The nationalanti-discrimination legislationof Swedenhas beenstrengthened sincethe adoptionof the DurbanDeclarationand Programmeof Action and two nationalplansof action havebeenadoptedand followed up, with a numberof initiativesfocusingon affirmative action, education,sensitrzation law enforcement to personnel, creationof a migration court and the the protectionof nationalminoritiesand minority languages. Swedenhas also observed E,uropean Union directiveson discrimination.Given the provisionsof the Durban Declaration and Programme Action, Swedenseesno needto elaborate new plan of action and is of the of a view that the review conference shouldfocus on reviewing implementation and identifying gaps. A/CONF.21L/PC.2I CP.P .6 page50 Question 2 Racistabuses occur in Swedenon a regularbasisin spite of the efforts made.Hate crimes includingIslamophobia, anti-Semitism xenophobia and continueto be identifiedin police reports.Since 2001,the numberof complaintssubmittedto the OmbudsmanagainstEthnic Discriminationhas increased from 400 to 800, but this could also be due to the increase public in awareness. Question 3 A new policy provisionin the Instrumentof Government, which took effect in2003,, ensures that public institutionscombatdiscrimination,strengthening similar constitutional guarantees. Prohibitionof DiscriminationAct of 2OO3 The also addresses problem and gives the the country's four anti-discrimination ombudsmen supervisory authority.The Act Prohibiting Discrirninationand Other DegradingTreatmentof Children and School Students prohibits discrimination based ethnicbackground. on Thereare four anti-discrimination ombudsmen and thereare plansto consolidate this legislationto offer betterprotection.The 2006-2009national plan of action on humanrights addresses discriminationin the enjoymentof economicand social rights,includingthe right to work, housing, healthand education. Anti-discrimination programmes have beenelaborated State-owned in The Living History Forum, companies. provideseducation intolerance. created 2O03, tn on Hate crimeshavebeenpursued and prioritized since2003 and the police hasprovidedtraining on the subject.In2007, the Governmentintroduceda re-entryjobs schemefor newly-arrivedimmigrants. Question 4 The proliferationof mechanisms could underminethe fight againstracism and they needto be streamlined. Statesshouldalso cooperate more with specialprocedures. Question 5 periodic reportsin December2006 as Swedensubmittedits seventeenth eighteenth and requiredby the Committeeon the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.lssuesraisedby the Committeeare addressed detail. in A/CONF.21I IPC.zlCRP .6 page5 I Question 6 The preparation a white paperon interculturaldialogueand the reportson hate speech of and the wearingof religious symbolsin public areasby the Committeeof Expertsfor the Developmentof Human Rights (within the framework of the Council of Europe)constitutea good practice.Work in other areas,suchas democracy, improving accountability and increased use of information,communicationand medra,, also good practices. are Switzerland Question 1 Following the DurbanConference, Switzerlandhas createdthe Servicefor the Fight againstRacism,which is the interlocutorwithin the federaladministration all questions for regardingracism,anti-Semitismand xenophobia. The servicegives financial aid for training projectsand sensitrzation work through"Projectsagainstracism", which received 15 million francsbetween2001and 2005 and an annualamountof l.l million since2006,most of this directedto educationprojects.The FederalCommissionagainstRacism,createdin 1995, also works on raising awareness, its presidentalso holds the position of ombudsman and on racism issues. The new law on foreignersputs emphasis integration. on Question 2 Like in many countries, racismis presentin Switzerlandand the Swissauthoritiesat all levels are awareof-theproblem.The latestreport of Switzerlandto the Committeeon the Elimination of Racial Discriminationpoints to this problem.A representative the Organization of for Securityand Cooperation Europeworking on the issueof intolerance in visited Switzerland in 2001 and described situationof Muslims as being satisfactory, the and evenbetterthan in particularlyin the areasof education, someEuropeancountries, housingand purchasing power. Question 3 The Government has established structures facilitatethe integrationof foreignersand the to fight againstracism.The new law on foreignersbecameeffectivein January2008, elevatingfor the first time the policy of integrationto a nationaltask anchored law. In this regard,the in departments f-ederal and offices concerned drafteda catalogue 45 measures give this eflect, of to A/CONF .21I /PC.2ICP.P .6 page52 at a cost of 50 million francs.Measures includethe improvementof migrant healthcare,the professional integrationof women, training,tracking racismon the Internetand the elaboration of codesof conductin the media. Question 4 Switzerlandis of the view that in spiteof the many mechanisms, Statesare not sufficiently sensitized make reportson the implementation the Durban Declarationand Programme to of of Action at the nationallevel, and considers questionnaire importantdevelopment this the an in regard. Question5 Switzerlandhasratified many conventions including the InternationalConventionon the E,limination All Forms of RacialDiscrimination.The Constitutionprovidesthe procedure of to follow in the eventof violationsof an internationaltreaty.The military penalcode makesit a crime to incitehatredor racistideology;the civil codealsoprotects workers,and the law on foreignersprovidesfurther protection. Question 6 Since 2004,Switzerlandhasparticipated the Task Forcefor InternationalCooperation in on HolocaustEducation,Remembrance Research, and which allows an exchange with specialists on the bestmeasures the ground.Switzerland alsotakenothermeasures the public on has in domain to eradicate racism. Syrian Arab Republic In its answers the questions the annexto the questionnaire, Syrian Arab Republic to in the states that it doesnot suffer from the problem of racial discrimination.Measures havebeentaken to preventdiscrimination.Citizensand residents enjoy humanrights equally.There are no hate crimes.The Constitutionguarantees rights, such as equaltreatmentbeforethe courtsand all tribunals, rule of law and access justice.Legal remedies guaranteed law; everybody the to are by hasa right to participatein political and cultural life, a right to religiousbelief-, adequate housing, equalpay for equalwork, access public places, to and others. A/CONF' I lPC.2/CRP.6 .21 page53 Legislativemeasures include the PenalCode,which criminalizesany act that affectsthe belief of others.All treatiesto which the Syrian Arab Republicis a party are integratecl into nationallegislation.There is no apartheidand no judicial precedent racial discrimination. on The Syrian Arab Republicis a party to the sevenhumanrights treaties. five-yearplan is being A put togetherto deal with, amongother issues, respectfor diversity,equality and social the justice. The Governmentprovidessocialservices all residents the territory, without to of discrimination;it hasprovided services refugees to and others. The Syrian Arab Republicis building partnerships with civil society organizations the in executionof programmes humanrights.The Governmentmonitorsthe phenomenon racial in of discriminationin order to be readyif thereare any issuesto be addressed strategies be and to developed. The Syrian Arab Republichasbeena strongopponentof racial discriminationthroughout history. The curriculum on religion tacklesthis problem,and Islam has addressed problemby the statingthat all humanbeingsare equal.In the nationalcurriculum,thereis an attemptto promote tolerance. The Ministry of Culture usesbooks and publicationsto fight discrimination,and promotesfilms that raiseawareness ractaldiscriminationand prohibits films that depict on discriminationagainstethnic or religiousgroups. Although the phenomenon racial discriminationdoesnot exist, somearticlesof the of PenalCode refer to inciting againstspecificgroupsor being a memberof an association aiming at inciting groups. The SyrianArab Republicdoesnot haveindigenous peoples peopleof or African descent. law has beenenacted immigration and a specialized A on committeehas been established draft two laws on immigrationand asylum.The Syrian Arab Republicis known to as one of the bestcountriesto deal with refugees. Ten per cent of the populationin the country is madeup of Palestinian refugees and lraqis. All Syrianlaws forbid anti-Semitism, anti-Arabism and hatredfor Islam. The PenalCode criminalizesthe publicationof materialsthat incite against different religiousgroupsand promoteracial discrimination. A/CONF I I IPC.z/ .6 .2 CP.P page54 Togo Question 1 The Constitutionof Togo providesfor the protectionof all and prohibits all forms of discrimination.It providesthat all manifestations a racist or regionalor xenophobiccharacter of areprohibitedand arepunishable the law. The law on political partiesalsoprohibitssuch by conduct.All legal,constitutional legislative provisions and contribute the fight against to racism, racialdiscrimination, xenophobia relatedintolerance. and The creationof the Ministry of Human Rightsand the establishment institutions of suchas the NationalCommission for Human Rights,the High Authority on Audiovisual and Communicationand the Constitutional Court, amongothers,createthe conditionsnecessary the fight againstdiscrimination. for Question 2 Ethnic-based discrimination existsin all domainsof lif-ein Togo but it doesnot manif-est itself in a violent way, exceptduringthe elections. shouldbe notedthat the creation It of associations with an ethnic character, creationof ethnic-based the political parties,immigration and the massive displacement populations of bring aboutethnicand regionaldivisions. Xenophobia more nuanced is because doesnot present it itself in day-to-day because life the foreignersand Togolesedo not havethe sameperceptionof it. Initiatives undertaken eliminate to theseforms of discriminationinclude mechanisms mutual knowledgeof tribes,education, for the adoptionof laws providing for punishment actsof tribalism,political decentralization for and nationalreconciliation. Question 3 Measures and initiativesincludethe protectionof vulnerablegroups;the promotion of socialcitizenship provisionof services all; the fight against by to impunity; the ratificationof treaties; decision-making; mobilizingcivil societyactors;working with the media;promoting educationprogrammes; and promotinginternational cooperation. Question 4 Togo believesthat the mechanism essential the applicationof the DurbanDeclaration is for and Programme Action. The mechanism of shouldbe accorded samemeansas the treaty the bodies.It shouldhave the right with regardto the actionsbeing takenby States. The Government A/CONF'.211lPC.2/CRP.6 page55 betweenthesemechanisms and the Committeeon the of Togo believesthat closecollaboration Elimination of Racial Discriminationis importantin order to ensureharmonybetweenthem. The Durbanmechanismshouldalso have autonomyof action and the expertsshouldservein a personal capacity. Question 5 Togo has ratified the International Conventionon the Elimination of All Formsof Racial it Discriminationand integrated into its judicial systemthrougharticle 50 of the Constitution. process Concretemeasures in the process being takenin the legal modernization are of on under way. Sensitization the contentof the Conventionis plannedin the nationalpromotion programmeundertaken the Ministry of Human Rights with the supportof the United Nations by DevelopmentProgrammesinceMay 2001. Question 6 as as which is inspired Togo citesthe respect foreigners a goodpractice, is hospitality, of by African traditionsthat considerforeignersa harbingerof happiness. Turkev Question 1 in There havebeenfar-reaching changes the country's criminal code to reflect the A body, the Minority commitmentto fighting racism and discrimination. new governmental problemsencountered Board, has beenin operationsince2004 to address by IssuesAssessment non-Muslim minorities.The Human Rights Presidency the Office of the Prime Minister of meetingsand initiated projectswhich touchedon the issueof a organized numberof round-table Turkey hastakenpart in the elaboration of combatingracial discriminationand relatedsubjects. forms of racial discrimination policies aimed at the elimination and preventionof contemporary in the Council of Europe.Human rights boardsconductinformationactivities,suchas preparing purposes, programmes publications relevant for and seminars, television trainingsessions, including the fight againstracism and xenophobia. 6 A/CONF .2T1/PC.2/CRP. page56 Question 2 in racismand intolerance spiteof tangible communitystill experiences The international forms of racial discrimination.Turkey progress achievedin the elimination of institutionahzed has to include internationaland nationallevels.In this regard, strategy believesthat a successful for Turkey works closely with the Council of Europeand the Organrzation Securityand in Cooperation Europe. Question 3 and The Criminal Code that enteredinto force in 2005 definesdiscriminationas an off-ence penalizes actsof discrimination,including on the basisof race.It also definesgenocideand crimes againsthumanity,including actsagainstmembersof a racial group.The Law on of which enteredinto force in 2004,prohibits the establishment associations Associations of advocatingthe supremacy a certainrace.A by-law was adoptedin 2004 stipulatingthat The discrimination. rights,suchas race-based against textbooksshouldnot containlanguage provisionson non-discrimination. includes broadcasting regulating legislation Question 4 working group on the effective Turkey hasplayeda role in the intergovernmental of of implementation the Durban Declarationand Programme Action, the Working Group on Peopleof African Descentand, more recently,the Ad Hoc Committeeon the Elaborationof It lnternationalStandards. will be making contributionsto the Open-ended Complementary shouldnot Working Group.Turkey is of the view that the review conference Inter-Governmental with new issues. be overloaded Question 5 of Conventionon the E,limination All Forms of Racial Turkey ratified the International Discriminationin May 2002;the Conventionenteredinto force for Turkey in Octoberof the sameyear. In 2007 Turkey submittedits initial, secondand third periodic reportsin a single , judicial, administrative othermeasures and outliningthe legislative, document, consolidated which give effect to the provisionsof the Convention. A/CONF'.2 I 1lPC.2/CP.P .6 page57 Question 6 Turkey is involved in the work of the Organization Securityand Cooperation Europe for in (OSCE) in the field of promotingtolerance and non-discrimination and has nominateda personal representative the OSCE Chairman-in-Office combatingintolerance to on and discrimination. Also, Turkey is co-sponsor the Alliance of Civilizationsinitiative. of united Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland With regardto the questions containedin the annexof the questionnaire, the United Kingdom indicated that it had a comprehensive body of legislation outlawing racial discriminationand providing protectionunderthe criminal law, from racistcrime and incitementto racial hatred.This legislationincludesstatutorydutieson public authorities to tackle racial discriminationand promoteequalityof opportunityand good race relations. It describedseveralsuchpiecesof legislationrelatingto actsof racism and prohibiting discrimination employment, in training,the provisionof goods,facilitiesand services, education, housingand certainother activities.The main public authorities have a generalduty to promote raceequality. The Governmentis currentlyundertaking discriminationlaw review of the whole body of a British discrimination law, with a view to producinga more streamlined legal framework. In the lJnited Kingdom, thereis legislationthat makesit an offenceto use or publish insulting or abusivewords (or behaviour)with the intentionto stir up racial hatredor, in the circumstances, racial hatredis likelv to be stirred. lJnderthe Human Rights Act of 1998,the United Kingdom incorporated the E,uropean Conventionon Human Rightsinto domesticlaw, with the incumbentobligationsthat this implies. The Government has takenmeasures promotegreaterparticipationin local government to of Afro-descendent minority ethnic women by studyingbarriersto participationand and f ormuIafing recommendations. A/CONF .2 I I /PC.2/CRP. 6 page58 There are two independent nationalhuman rights commissionsin the United Kingdom that promotehumanrights,includingnon-discrimination: Commission Equalityand the for Human Rights and the NorthernIreland Human Rights Commission.A third, the Scottish Commission Human Rights,is in the courseof beingestablished. for and "improving communitycohesion, called opportunity, strengthening society".[t focuses such on areas education, labourmarket,health,housingand the criminaljustice system, as the and also tacklesracismand extremism. The United Kingdom is a party to the International Conventionon the Eliminationof All Forms of Racial Discriminationbut it remainsto be convincedof the practicalvalue to British citizensof the right of individual petition to the United Nations. The response the United Kingdom indicatedthat it complieswith the provisionsof by severalinternational legal instruments that protectinternational humanrights, refugees and humanitarian relatingto refugee, law asylum-seekers displaced and persons. Uruguay Question 1 In its response this question,the Governmentof Uruguaypoints to the creationof to the Human RightsDirectorate within the Ministry of Education and Culture,the missionof which is to promotecompliancewith and respect humanrights. Within the Directorate, for thereis a body that coordinates and promotespublic policiesfor affirmative action with regardto peopleof African descentat the national,departmental regionallevels.ln 2004,Uruguayapproved and a law againstracism,xenophobia and all forms of intolerance and createdthe Honorary Commission AgainstRacism,Xenophobia and All Formsof Discrimination, comprising representatives the Stateand civil society. of The Commission proposes nationalpoliciesand concrete measures preventand combatracism,xenophobia to and discrimination. ln January2005,the Governmentlauncheda nationalstrategyto increase race equality A/CONF' I 1/PC.2/CRP.6 .2 page59 Question 2 Discrimination Uruguayis manif-ested lower incomesand levelsof education. in in Statisticalevidenceshowsthat educationlevelsof Afro-descendents lower than thoseof the are white population.The Equity Plan will attemptto address this imbalance. regards As employment,Afro-descendents more commonly found performingunskilled work. are Question 3 The response indicates that Uruguayhas createdseveralmechanisms and policies designed to address discriminationagainstvulnerablesectorsof society,parlicularly Afro-descendents. Theseinclude specificinitiativesto address situationof Afro-descendent the women and young people. Question 4 The Governmentof Uruguay considers currentDurbanfollow-up mechanisms the insuftcient and that thereis a needfor affirmative action,particularlyin the realmsof education and employment.Scholarships shouldbe createdat all levelsof educationfor the economically disadvantaged. Also, educationshouldpromotehumanrights and include in the curriculumthe history of slaveryof the forebears Afro-descendents. of Question 5 The Governmentof Uruguay ratified the International Conventionon the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discriminationin 1968and states that discriminationis criminalizedin the Criminal Code.In compliancewith recommendations madeby the Committeeon the Elimination of Racial Discriminationin 1999,the Governmentsortsdisaggregated information on Afro-descendents its householdsurvev. in J Question 6 Mention is madeof severalinitiativesto combatracial discrimination,suchas programmes gain access educationin disadvantaged to to sectors society,official recognition of of Afro-descendent women achievers and the participationof Montevideoin the Coalition of Cities against Racism. A/CONF.21I /PC.zICRP.6 page60 Venezuela(Bolivarian Republic o0 In answerto the questions containedin the annexto the questionnaire, Government the of Venezuela madereference internal legislationthat protectshuman rights, particularlythe to Constitution,which gives pre-eminence within the nationallegal framework to international human rights treatiesratified by Venezuela.It also pointedout that the Constitution,in its articfe 19, guarantees respect humanrights of all persons. the of The DeJensoria Pueblois del, mentionedas the Statebody chargedwith defendinghumanrights, and the reply of Venezuela describes variousfunctionsattributedto this body to carry out its mandate. the The rights to non-discrimination equalityare mentioned importantelements the Defensoria's and as of mandate. Venezuelamakesreference severalprogrammes to and projectsrelatedto healthissues, particularlydirectedat addressing needs the mostvulnerable the of sectors society. of Mention is madeof the presidential commissionagainstdiscriminationthat was createdin 2003 and a proposalto createa law againstracial discrimination.Reference also madeto broadpolicy is linesdesigned generate to socialinclusionand which fosternon-discrimination specific and missionsdesigned benefitmore vulnerable to sectors society, of including victims of discrimination. As regardsparticipationwithout discriminationof women in society,Venezuela points to an ampleparticipation womenin postsof significant of responsibility Government in and the State,and outlinesthe work and mandate institutionschargedwith advancingthe participation of of women, as well as laws formulatedto the sameend. Similar measures have beenadoptedwith regardto Afro-descendents the indigenous population. and Statisticalinfbrmationon Afro-descendents gathered is and analysed a subcommittee by of the NationalStatistical Committee formedfor that purpose August2O0l.lnformation on in racism and programmes combatthis phenomenon access educationare organized the to in to by presidential commission the prevention for and eliminationof all forms of racialdiscrimination and otherdistinctions the education in system. The reply indicates that humanrightstraininghas beenprovidedto several key branches the civil servicesince2000. of A/CONF' 1/PC.2/CRP.6 .21 page6 I Social organrzations work collaborativelywith the Statein confrontinginequalities, discriminationand diverseforms of intolerance. keepingwith this, the Statehas created In an office for relationswith indigenouscommunitiesand an office for relationswith Afro-descendent communities. Through theseoffices,the Statemaintainsa permanent dialoguewith thesegroups.Also, the Stateis currentlyimplementingfour projectsdirectedat peopleof African descent with the collaborationof UNICEF and the office for relationswith Afro-descendent communities. Non-Member State Holy See The Holy See,in the Compendium the SocialDoctrine of the Church (2004),articulated of in a systematic approach many of the concreteconcerns relativeto racism and all forms of discrimination, with a view to helpingthe Catholiccommunityand the humanfamily as a whole ref-lect theseissues. on The Compendiumhas beentranslated into 33 languages. The Holy Seehasparticipated many international in forums to collaborate with Governments and non-governmental organrzations finding ways of eliminatingracism and discrimination in and hasparticipated many initiatives,suchas facilitating the return of refugees in and displaced persons. The Holy Seehasalsobeenfollowing closelythe meetings the United Nationson the of subjectof racism. The Holy Seeis concerned aboutthe flagrantviolation of the right to freedomof religion. Despitethe commitments madein Durban,thereare examples a lack of respectfor this right, of as shown by the killing of religiouspeoplein Kenya and Turkey, as well as in many placesin the world where Christiansand believershave beenarrested detained. other places,States or In have introduceddrasticrestrictions religiousfreedom.Christiansin someareasare being martyred, on persecuted being forced to flee their countriesin order to survive.Theseepisodes religious or of intolerance serveto highlightthe underlyingtensionaroundthe concept religiousfreedom. of Racialprejudice, which deniesthe equaldignity of all members the humanfamily, can only of be eradicated going to its roots whereit is formed. Harbouringracistthoughtsand by entertaining racist attitudes considered sin by the Catholic church.The Church,on its part, is a contributesto forming consciences presenting Christiandoctrine.In recenttimes,there by the A/CONF .2I I lPC.2/CP.P .6 page62 has beenevidenceof persistent and contemporary forms of racism and the Church has followed this closely,especially with regardto indigenous people,migrants, refugees and peopleof African descent. The educationof mentalitiesand consciences necessary the effort to combat is in discrimination. The equaldignity of all by virtue of their existence the ultimatefoundation is of the radicalequalitysoughtby the Church.Peoplemustbe helpedin the questfor human fulfilment, and this is particularlytrue with respectto the educationof young persons. As a good practice,the Churchhas focusedon educatingpeopleof every race,language and way of life and on teaching them how to live in harmonyand solidaritywhile respecting differentculturesand religions.