COMMITTEE ON ELIMINATION OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION CONTINUES DISCUSSION OF BRITISH REPORT
Press Release
RD/854
COMMITTEE ON ELIMINATION OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION CONTINUES DISCUSSION OF BRITISH REPORT
19960307 GENEVA, 5 March (UN Information Service) -- The Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination this morning asked a delegation from the United Kingdom about measures taken by the Government to combat incitement to racial hatred and about the activities of an ever-increasing number of organizations advocating hate and racial discrimination.As the panel continued to examine the implementation in the United Kingdom of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, several of its members expressed concern over the recent electoral successes of the British National Party (BNP) following a campaign that had relied on racist ideas. They also expressed concern at the proliferation of neo-fascist groups and the increase in racial attacks.
The Committee is expected to conclude its examination of the situation in the United Kingdom in its next meeting, where it will also hear the presentation by the Finnish Government delegation of its report on implementation of the Convention.
Discussion of Report of United Kingdom
In the continuing examination of the thirteenth periodic report of the United Kingdom (document CERD/C/263/Add.7), a number of Committee experts expressed doubt about the view of the Government that the British National Party (BNP) would benefit from the attention its banning would bring. They were concerned at the assertion in the report that the Government "has no power to ban individuals or organizations on the grounds that they hold extreme or racist views, nor does it have any present plans to take such powers". They pointed out that it was the Government's responsibility to propose specific legislation to this effect to Parliament. The Convention did not aim to curtail the right to freedom of expression, but rather to prevent incitement to racial hate.
Several members noted that unemployment among ethnic minority youth was more than double that of youth in general in the United Kingdom. They also pointed to the unfavourable situation as regards housing and health care for minority groups. As for cases of death in detention, members of the black and
other minority communities were, proportionally, more likely to be victims. Also noting that the teaching of national languages to certain groups was a transitory measure that was meant to lead to instruction in English, they stressed that measures should be taken to respect and protect the culture of minority groups.
Members requested information on the Irish "travellers" and on all of the United Kingdom's dependent territories, not only Hong Kong. In that territory, 95 per cent of the population was Chinese, but the language of the laws and the courts was English. This put the Chinese at a disadvantage. In the context of the transfer of sovereignty to China, it was to be hoped that greater efforts would be made to encourage the use of Chinese in the courts. It was a matter of concern that the Government had refused to grant British citizenship to the people of Hong Kong, while it had been accorded to the inhabitants of the Falkland (Malvinas) Islands. The United Kingdom should correct this discriminatory situation.
STEPHEN WELLS, Police Department, Home Office, said that 1.8 per cent of police officials belonged to minority groups. This figure was constantly increasing. Thus, in 1994, 4.2 per cent of all recruitment concerned members of minority groups. He acknowledged that more should be done to encourage members of minorities to enter the police force. Deaths in detention and complaints of police brutality were being fully investigated. Statistics on the ethnic origin of the victims of such abuse were currently being compiled in order to aid in the adoption of measures in this area. Assessment studies were also under way on the subject of community relations in order to improve the training of police officers. Police services carried out close surveillance of extremist groups.
MICHAEL HEAD, Assistant Under-Secretary of State, Equal Opportunities and General Department, Home Office, added that although the United Kingdom had its reservations regarding European Union proposals in the area of joint action against racism, it had not vetoed them. The process was still alive, and the United Kingdom was still participating. In answer to questions regarding the lack of legislation punishing discrimination on the basis of religion, he said the United Kingdom was ready to receive any information that would show that discrimination based solely on that criterion was a grave enough problem to justify legislative measures.
With regard to measures aimed at prohibiting racist propaganda and organizations that incited racial hatred, the delegation took note of the concerns of Committee members, but indicated that such measures would be counter-productive. The Government was better placed to judge the situation in the country in that respect. Concerning the Northern Irish "travellers", Mr. Head said that provisions on the accommodation of their caravans were being elaborated within the framework of legislation covering race relations
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in Northern Ireland. With regard to the situation of Irish citizens living in Great Britain, more in-depth analysis should be conducted before rendering judgement. He acknowledged that minority youth, particularly black boys, were more often than others expelled from school. However, he assured the Committee, this was not the result of discriminatory practices. School authorities had to justify all expulsions to a school committee. Expulsions were also subject to appeal.
TERRY NEAL, Immigration Department, Home Office, said that the detention of asylum seekers was a measure of last recourse. The case of Joy Gardner, an asylum seeker who had died during detention, had brought about the adoption of new provisions governing the behaviour of immigration service officials. These officials had to fulfil their duties without taking into account the national or ethnic origin of asylum seekers. The United Kingdom did not consider that asylum seekers had the freedom to seek asylum in the country of their choice. The Government would nevertheless not expel an asylum seeker in this situation to the country of origin but to the country of first refusal.
HENRY STEEL, Adviser to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on United Kingdom Dependent Territories, said persons of south Asian origin would not become Stateless once Hong Kong reverted to Chinese sovereignty, even though they could not acquire Chinese citizenship. He deplored the provisions of Chinese law in that regard. Some of these persons had requested British citizenship; a number of them would receive it.
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