COMMITTEE ON THE ELIMINATION
OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION
Forty-fifth 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

Iceland

401. At its 1065th meeting, held on 17 August 1994, the Committee adopted the following concluding observations.

(a) Introduction

402. The State party is commended for the quality of its report, drawn up in accordance with the Committee's guidelines for the preparation of State party reports (CERD/C/70/Rev.3). Satisfaction is expressed at the frank and constructive approach taken by the representatives of the reporting State in their dialogue with the Committee and for the additional information they provided with regard to recent developments relating to the implementation of the Convention in Iceland. It is regretted, however, that the tenth, eleventh and twelfth periodic reports were not submitted in due time.

(b) Positive aspects

403. The efforts made to harmonize national legislation with the provisions of the Convention are welcomed. In that connection, note is taken of the revision of the chapter of the Constitution relating to human rights, of the new Administrative Law N.37/1993, and of the revision of Law N.45/1965 on the Control of Aliens. Note is also taken of the establishment of the office of the Ombudsman of the Althing in 1988.

(c) Principal subjects of concern

404. Concern is expressed as to the status in the domestic legal order of Iceland of the Convention, which is not incorporated in national law, and therefore cannot be directly applied in the courts.

405. Note is taken that too little attention is paid to foreigners and minorities in the Icelandic legal system and that there is no specific legislation in Iceland in the field of racial discrimination.

406. Concern is expressed that the State party has not implemented the provisions contained in article 4 (b) of the Convention.

(d) Suggestions and recommendations

407. The Committee recommends that Iceland incorporate the Convention in national law.

408. The Committee recommends that the Government take further measures to implement fully the provisions of article 4 of the Convention, which are of a mandatory character as stated in general recommendation VII (32) of the Committee and which oblige States parties to declare illegal and prohibit organizations that promote and incite racial discrimination.

409. The Committee would welcome any information that the State party is able to provide concerning measures taken to combat racial discrimination in the fields of teaching, education, culture and information.

410. The Committee draws the attention of the State party to the amendment to article 8, paragraph 6, of the Convention, which was approved by the fifteenth meeting of States parties and by the General Assembly in its resolution 47/111, and encourages the State party to expedite its action formally to accept that amendment.