Latest news with #CERD
New Indian Express
27-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
UN human rights body flags relocation of tribal dwellers from tiger reserves
BHUBANESWAR : The relocation of forest-dwelling tribals from the tiger reserves in Odisha and 17 other states has been flagged by the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD), one of UN Human Rights Treaty Bodies. Odisha is one among the 18 states where tribals are being displaced from tiger reserves, the allegations of which have been received by CERD under its 'early warning and urgent action procedure' with regard to the situation of tribal and forest-dwelling indigenous people in India. The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) had in June last year, asked the then chief wildlife warden to look into relocation of villages from the core/critical tiger habitat areas of the two tiger reserves in the state under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. The law mandates that core or critical tiger habitat areas of national parks and sanctuaries are kept inviolate for tiger conservation. NTCA had also pointed out that the village relocation process has been very slow. Odisha has two tiger reserves - Satkosia and Similipal. As per the NTCA reports, the number of villages in the core areas in Satkosia was five (having 157 families) and nine in Similipal (311 families), as on May 27, 2024. The number of villages relocated from the core area since the inception of Project Tiger is one (78 families) in Satkosia and four (247 families) in Similipal. The number of villages remaining in the core areas of both the reserves is 9 and families is 143.
Scoop
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
UN CERD Publishes Findings On Gabon, Kyrgyzstan, Mauritius, Republic Of Korea And Ukraine
GENEVA (9 May 2025) - The UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) today issued its findings on Gabon, Kyrgyzstan, Mauritius, the Republic of Korea and Ukraine after reviewing the five States parties in its latest session. The findings contain the Committee's main concerns and recommendations on the implementation of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, as well as positive aspects. Key highlights include: Gabon The Committee expressed concern that the national legislative framework does not contain a definition of racial discrimination fully in line with Article 1 of the Convention. It recommended that Gabon adopt comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation with a clear definition of racial discrimination, including its direct, indirect, multiple and intersecting forms, which encompasses all areas of law in both the public and private spheres, and that covers all grounds of discrimination, including race, colour, descent, or national or ethnic origin. The Committee acknowledged efforts by the State to promote the rights of Indigenous Peoples but raised concerns over the lack of a specific legislative framework. It was particularly troubled by reports of displacement without free, prior, and informed consent, and the harmful impact of infrastructure and resource projects on Indigenous lands and livelihoods. The Committee urged the State party to take measures to ensure non-discrimination, recognition and legal protection of Indigenous Peoples. It also asked Gabon to establish a law governing consultation procedures to obtain free, prior and informed consent of Indigenous Peoples on projects affecting their ecosystems and way of life, and to create appropriate mechanisms for holding these consultations. Kyrgyzstan The Committee was concerned about the insufficient level of support and compensation, including inadequate alternative housing, for members of the Magut ethnic community following the flood in Osh city in July 2024, owing to the lack of property titles. It also raised its concern over the proposed resettlement plan to relocate them to an area without proper infrastructure and basic services. It asked the State party to ensure that Mugat families and individuals affected by the July 2024 flood in Osh city receive fair and adequate housing and compensation, consult effectively with Mugat community members, and grant titles to their properties. The Committee was concerned about reports of an increase in hate speech and the violent attacks by civilians against migrants in May 2024, leading to abuses and violations of their rights and safety. It called upon Kyrgyzstan to conduct effective, thorough and impartial investigations into all alleged abuses perpetrated against migrants and prosecute perpetrators and punish those convicted with penalties commensurate with the offences. It asked the State party to provide victims of discriminatory acts and hate crimes with adequate redress and support. It also recommended that the State party take effective measures to combat and monitor hate speech, incitement to and promotion of racial hatred and discrimination against migrants, including on the Internet and social media. Mauritius The Committee noted the State Party's position that keeping disaggregated statistics by ethnicity goes against National Unity. It, however, remained particularly concerned about the absence of comprehensive data on ethnic groups such as Creoles, Chagossians, and other people of African descent, as well as non-citizens like migrants and stateless people, which impedes effective assessment of racial discrimination and the socioeconomic conditions of these communities. The Committee recommended that the State party develop inclusive data collection tools based on self-identification, compile detailed socioeconomic statistics for marginalised groups, and publish data on the ethnic composition of the prison population. The Committee stated its concern over the ongoing effects of forced displacement of the Chagossians, including poverty and discrimination, and the lack of information on the impact of support measures for those living on the mainland. The Committee was further concerned about the limited involvement of the Chagossian community in negotiations and reparations processes. It recommended that the State Party follow the International Court of Justice's 2019 Advisory Opinion, ensure full participation of Chagossians in all related negotiations, develop a comprehensive reparations framework in consultation with affected communities, and improve and monitor support systems addressing key social and economic needs. The Republic of Korea The Committee reiterated its concern over the continued rise in racist hate speech, both online and offline, particularly targeting migrants, asylum-seekers, refugees, Muslims, and people of Chinese descent. The Committee was alarmed by reports of hate incidents, including those regarding opposing the building of a mosque in Daegu city. It was also disturbed by videos of abuses of undocumented migrant workers posted on the Internet. The Committee urged the State party to amend its Criminal Code to recognise racist motivations as aggravating factors, explicitly criminalise hate speech and hate crimes, condemn all forms of hate speech, especially from public figures, strengthen legal training, implement public education campaigns, and intensify efforts to counter hate speech in media and online platforms. The Committee remained seriously concerned about the widespread exploitation of migrant workers, including wage arrears at a rate more than triple of the nationals, the sub-standard housing for migrant workers, with about half of them housed in non-residential accommodation, and a high incidence of industrial accident deaths estimated to be twice as high as for Korean nationals. Migrant workers also face significant structural barriers, such as limited access to compensation, legal aid, and information due to language and residence status issues. The Committee called for a robust enforcement scheme to ensure accommodation standard for migrant workers, effective enforcement of occupational safety standards, remedies and reparations for migrant workers who have experienced labour rights violations, and better regional support services with adequate staffing and funding. Ukraine The Committee was concerned that the ongoing war poses severe challenges for the State party in fully implementing its obligations under the Convention, particularly as the State party has no effective control over the territories under occupation. It was also disturbed by the absence of information regarding investigations, prosecutions, convictions, and sanctions related to incidents of discriminatory treatment, racist hate speech, and violence against people of African, Asian, Middle Eastern, and Latin American descent while they attempted to flee the State party to neighbouring countries. These incidents reportedly included denial of access to bomb shelters, obstruction at border crossings, and being relegated to the back of transportation queues. The Committee called on the State party to investigate all such incidents, prosecute those responsible, and ensure they are appropriately punished. The Committee was concerned about reports of hate crimes, harassment and organised violent attacks against Roma communities that occurred in 2018, including unlawful killing and destruction of property, perpetuated by organised vigilante groups, such as the Kyiv Municipal Guards. It asked the State party to ensure accountability and end impunity by conducting effective, thorough and impartial investigations into all alleged abuses and violence against Roma communities, prosecuting and punishing those convicted adequately with penalties commensurate with the offences, and providing victims with adequate redress and support. The above findings, officially named Concluding Observations, are now available online on the session page. In addition to country reviews, the Committee also held a half-day of general discussion, presenting the development of a new General Recommendation on reparations for the historical injustices from the chattel enslavement and its enduring harms to people of African Descent. General Recommendation is an official interpretation by the Committee to clarify how States parties shall implement specific provisions of the Convention.
Scoop
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Gaza: UN Anti-Racism Committee Decries Halt To Food Aid, Urges Immediate Humanitarian Access
GENEVA (9 May 2025) - With food aid supplies now completely exhausted in Gaza and border crossings still sealed, the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) today issued an urgent call for immediate humanitarian access and a lasting ceasefire, warning of catastrophic consequences for the civilian population. The Committee, currently convening in Geneva for its latest session, which ends today, issued its statement hours after the World Central Kitchen announced it was forced to shut down its remaining soup kitchens across Gaza due to a lack of food. The World Food Programme previously raised the alarm of the total collapse of food aid operations in the besieged enclave. In late April, the UN food agency announced that all of its food reserves in Gaza had been depleted, and ongoing restrictions at key border crossings had halted the entry of additional supplies. The food exhaustion in Gaza, combined with the widespread destruction or serious damage to water and electricity infrastructure, are 'placing the civilian population—especially vulnerable groups such as children, women, the elderly, and persons with disabilities—at imminent risk of famine, disease, and death,' the Committee said. The Committee also raised grave alarm at the intensification of Israeli military operations across the Gaza Strip since early March, citing indiscriminate bombardments and expanded ground incursions, 'which have dramatically worsened the humanitarian crisis and severely endangered the civilian population.' Invoking its early warning and urgent action procedures, the Committee recalled its 2024 decision, which raised serious concerns regarding Israel's obligations under international law to prevent war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide. It also drew attention to the broader deterioration of conditions across the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem and the West Bank, where patterns of mass displacement and settler violence are increasingly mirroring those in Gaza. The Committee urged the State of Israel to 'lift all barriers to humanitarian access, allow the immediate and unimpeded entry of humanitarian aid, and cease all actions obstructing the provision of essential services to the civilian population in Gaza.' Furthermore, it called on all States parties to the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination to fulfil their international obligations by taking immediate and appropriate measures to prevent further escalation of hostility and to ensure the protection of civilians. All States have to 'cooperate to bring an end to the violations that are taking place and to prevent war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide, including by ceasing any military assistance,' the Committee further urged.
Arab News
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
UN's top anti-racism body calls for immediate Gaza aid access
NEW YORK CITY: The UN's top anti-racism body has called for immediate humanitarian access to Gaza in a bid to avoid 'catastrophic consequences' for its civilian population. The statement by the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination — comprised of independent experts — came hours after the World Central Kitchen charity said it was forced to end operations in Gaza due to a lack of food. It also follows a commitment by Israel to 'conquer' almost all of the enclave, as well as disputes involving Israel, the UN and US over the appropriate way to deliver humanitarian aid to Palestinians there. The CERD committee is convening in Geneva for its latest session, ending today. Gaza's civilian population, 'especially vulnerable groups such as children, women, the elderly and persons with disabilities,' are 'at imminent risk of famine, disease and death,' the committee said. The warning follows an earlier appeal by the World Food Programme, the UN's food agency, which said that almost all food aid operations in Gaza had collapsed. Late last month, the agency announced that the entirety of its food reserves in the enclave had been depleted. Since March, Israel has blocked humanitarian aid into Gaza in a bid to build pressure on Hamas, which still holds Israeli hostages. Tom Fletcher, the UN's emergency relief coordinator, said last week: 'Two months ago, the Israeli authorities took a deliberate decision to block all aid to Gaza and halt our efforts to save survivors of their military offensive. 'They have been bracingly honest that this policy is to pressurize Hamas.' Expanded military operations by Israel in Gaza over the past two months 'have dramatically worsened the humanitarian crisis and severely endangered the civilian population,' Friday's CERD statement said. The committee called on Israel to 'lift all barriers to humanitarian access, allow the immediate and unimpeded entry of humanitarian aid, and cease all actions obstructing the provision of essential services to the civilian population in Gaza.' The statement also highlighted worsening conditions across the Occupied Palestinian Territories, including in East Jerusalem, where Israel closed six UNRWA schools this week. Philippe Lazzarini, the Palestinian refugee agency's chief, reacted with fury over the move, describing it as an 'assault on children.' The CERD statement called on all UN states to 'cooperate to bring an end to the violations that are taking place and to prevent war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide, including by ceasing any military assistance.'
