COMMITTEE ON THE ELIMINATION
OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION
Forty-seventh session

CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS SUBMITTED BY STATES PARTIES
UNDER ARTICLE 9 OF THE CONVENTION

Concluding observations of the Committee on the
Elimination of Racial Discrimination

Chad

653. At its 1125th meeting, held on 17 August 1995, the Committee adopted the following concluding observations:

(a) Introduction

654. The Committee observed with satisfaction the desire of the Government of the State party and its delegation to renew its dialogue with the Committee, despite the grave domestic problems confronting Chad. It regretted the fact that the fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth reports had not been submitted within the specified times and that the ninth periodic report was extremely brief and did not comply with the Committee's guidelines for the preparation of reports or the provisions of the Convention. It was, however, pleased that the oral presentation by the delegation of the State party - markedly better than the written report - very extensively supplemented the periodic report.

655. It was noted that the State party had not made the declaration provided for in article 14 of the Convention, and members of the Committee requested that consideration should be given to the possibility of making such a declaration.

(b) Positive aspects

656. The extensive additional information provided in the delegation's oral presentation, both on institutional matters and on the breakdown of the population and the country's leading socio-economic indicators, was particularly appreciated. As a result, the delegation was requested to circulate the text of its oral presentation as a supplementary report.

657. The Committee noted Chad's admission to its territory of several non-governmental human rights organizations, and an improvement in the exercise of freedom of expression, in the press and elsewhere. It also considered highly encouraging the recent ratification of a number of international human rights conventions.

(c) Principal subjects of concern

658. Concern was expressed over the allegations of serious human rights violations in the State party, including violations of the Convention. Concern was also expressed over the paralysis of the judiciary, associated with the lack of resources allocated to the courts, the inadequate training given to judges and political interference.

659. Other causes for concern related to the ethnic aspect of the human rights violations, the predominant influence of certain ethnic minorities close to the State within the administration and the army, and the growing antagonism between the north and south of the country.

660. The information given on the socio-economic situation of the population was considered inadequate in the ninth periodic report but much fuller in the delegation's oral presentation.

661. The written report also failed to provide enough information on the existence of legislation giving effect to article 4 of the Convention.

662. As regards the implementation of article 6 of the Convention, the report had not enlightened the Committee as to the steps taken to ensure the effective use of remedies so that victims of racial or ethnic discrimination could secure the punishment of discriminatory acts and compensation for the injury caused.

(d) Suggestions and recommendations

663. The Committee recommends the State party to provide in its next report, due on 16 September 1996, fuller information on the practical implementation of the Convention and to supply written replies to the questions raised orally during the consideration of the report of Chad, including information on the ethnic characteristics of the population, in accordance with paragraph 8 of the guidelines for the preparation of reports.

664. More precise information was requested on the reforms undertaken following the National Conference intended to begin the process of national reconciliation: the constitutional reform, the draft electoral code, the amnesty act, the law on compensation for victims of human rights violations, the reorganization of the security forces and national gendarmerie, and the strengthening of the judicial apparatus.

665. The next report should also inform the Committee of the actual lines of action open to the National Commission on Human Rights and its activities in terms of the implementation of the Convention.

666. The Committee strongly recommends the State party to make every effort to ensure that the system of justice functions properly, since that is a necessary condition for a return to the rule of law. Help in arranging a solid training programme for judges should be sought from the United Nations Centre for Human Rights.

667. The Committee considers it to be of the utmost importance to set up a training programme in humanitarian law and human rights for members of the armed forces, the police, the national gendarmerie and other State employees. Assistance could be sought from the United Nations Centre for Human Rights and the International Committee of the Red Cross.

668. The Committee recommends the State party to ratify the amendments to article 8, paragraph 6, of the Convention adopted by the 14th meeting of States parties.