Convention Abbreviation:
CERD
COMMITTEE ON THE ELIMINATION
OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION
Sixtieth session
4-22 March 2002
CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS
SUBMITTED BY STATES
PARTIES UNDER ARTICLE 9 OF THE CONVENTION
Concluding observations of the Committee on the
Elimination of Racial Discrimination*
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines*
1. At its 1511th meeting, held on 14 March 2002 (see CERD/C/SR.1511),
the Committee reviewed the implementation of the Convention by Saint Vincent
and the Grenadines based upon the State party's initial report (CERD/C/85/Add.1),
the concluding observations issued in relation to that report (see A/39/18)
and previous reviews of the implementation of the Convention undertaken
in 1992 and 1996 (see A/47/18 and A/51/18, paras. 443-445). The Committee
reiterates its regret that the State party has not submitted a report
since the submission of its initial report in 1983.
2. Recalling that the purpose of the reporting system is for States parties
to establish and maintain a dialogue with the Committee on the measures
adopted, progress made and difficulties encountered in complying with
the obligations under the Convention, the Committee regrets that Saint
Vincent and the Grenadines has not been able to respond to its invitation
to participate in the meeting and to furnish relevant information. In
this connection, it is noted that the State party does not have diplomatic
representation in Geneva. The Committee further notes that the non-performance
by a State of its reporting obligations creates serious obstacles to the
effective functioning of the monitoring system set up by the Convention.
3. The Committee reiterates its concern that the initial report of St.
Vincent and the Grenadines did not comply with the requirements of article
9 of the Convention as it consisted of a single paragraph asserting that
there was no form of racial discrimination practised in the country and
that protection from such discrimination was provided in the basic clauses
of the Constitution. In this connection, the Committee takes note of reports
regarding the human rights situation in St. Vincent and the Grenadines,
including alleged discrimination against certain minorities such as the
Amerindians and Asians. Reports further indicate that these groups are
overrepresented at the lower-income levels of the State economy and that
members of some minorities consider that they have been discriminated
against by the majority.
4. While noting that the State party recently submitted a detailed report
to the Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC/C/28/Add.18) and previously
to the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (A/52/38/Rev.1,
paras.123-150), the Committee suggests that the Government of Saint Vincent
and the Grenadines avail itself of the technical assistance offered under
the advisory services and technical assistance programme of the Office
of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, with the aim of preparing and
submitting, as soon as possible, a report drafted in accordance with the
reporting guidelines.
5. The Committee draws the attention of the State party to the provisions
of the Declaration and Programme of Action of the World Conference against
Racism, according to which the International Convention on the Elimination
of All Forms of Racial Discrimination is the principal international instrument
for the elimination of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related
intolerance and States are urged to cooperate with the Committee in order
to promote the effective implementation of the Convention.
_________________
* Please note that the symbol CERD/C/Session No./CO/... will from now
on replace the previous symbol, CERD/C/304/Add...
