ANTI-DISCRIMINATION COMMITTEE BEGINS ADOPTING OBSERVATIONS ON SITUATION IN UNITED KINGDOM

14 March 1996

Press Release
RD/867

ANTI-DISCRIMINATION COMMITTEE BEGINS ADOPTING OBSERVATIONS ON SITUATION IN UNITED KINGDOM

19960314 Considedrs Third Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination

GENEVA, 13 March (UN Information Service) -- The Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination noted with serious concern this morning that a disproportionate number of members of minority groups were among the victims of death in custody in the United Kingdom.

According to one of the observations adopted by the Committee in evaluating the implementation of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination in that country, police brutality also appeared to affect members of minority groups disproportionately. It noted with concern that allegations of police brutality and harassment were reportedly not vigorously investigated.

The Committee's observations were based on its examination of a report submitted by the Government of the United Kingdom on how it gave effect to the provisions of the Convention. In examining State party reports, the Committee also calls on other sources of information, including non-governmental organizations. This morning the Commitee voted to retain in its observations on the United Kingdom an expression of appreciation to non-governmental organizations based in that country for the specific information they had provided.

Also this morning, the Committee heard from a representative of the Centre for Human Rights on the implementation of the Programme of Action for the Third Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination.

Observations on Situation in United Kingdom

In its observations on the implementation of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination in the United Kingdom, the Committee noted that the 1976 Race Relations Act, by which many of the provisions of the Convention were given effect in domestic law, was subordinate to a wide range of rules and may be superseded by new rules or laws. The legal framework prohibiting racial discrimination was further weakened by the non-incorporation of the Convention into domestic legislation, the absence of a bill of rights espousing the principle of equality before the

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law and non-discrimination, and the lack of recourse of individuals to petition an international body such as the Committee.

It was noted with serious concern that among the victims of death in custody were a disproportionate number of members of minority groups; that police brutality appeared to affect members of minority groups disproportionately; and that allegations of police brutality and harassment were reportedly not vigorously investigated and perpetrators, once guilt was established, not appropriately punished.

Concerning the treatment of foreigners, the Committeee expressed serious concern that the proposed asylum and immigration law would alter the status of many persons living in the United Kingdom in an adverse and discriminatory manner.

The Committee expressed appreciation for the specific information received from non-governmental organizations based in the State party, which helped it clarify the situation and contributed to the quality of the dialogue. This observation was retained after a vote of 11 in favour to 1 against, with 1 abstention.

Decade to Combat Racism

AMADOU MOKHTAR CISSÉ, of the Prevention of Discrimination Branch in the Centre for Human Rights, said the trust fund for the Programme of Action for the Third Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination did not have sufficient resources to finance certain activities foreseen for the Decade. In 1995, for example, only one seminar had been held within this framework. Similarly, for 1996, two scheduled seminars would have to be combined into one, given the lack of resources. That seminar would consider issues related to the eradication of incitement to racial hatred and the implementation of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. There was also a possibility of organizing in the future a seminar on the right to property of refugees and displaced persons.

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