International Feedback: Racism
The commentaries of the following bodies refer to racial discrimination:
Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination CERD
UN Special Rapporteur on Racism
- Mission to Switzerland
Report by Mr. Doudou Diène, Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, 30 January 2007 (pdf, 30 p.)
European Commission against Racism and Intolerance ECRI
In the following we have chosen some citations on the subject. At the end of each original citation you can find the source with a link to the complete text of the citation:
«The State party should ensure rigorous enforcement of its laws against racial incitement and discrimination. It should consider broadening the mandate of the Federal Commission against Racism, or creating an independent human rights mechanism with the power to initiate legal action (articles 2 and 20 of the Covenant).»
- Source: HRC 2001, al. 8
Concerning Racism and Xenophobia «sign and ratify the relevant international instruments; adopt laws to prohibit and punish racial discrimination in the private sphere; give the authorities responsible for combating xenophobia and racism adequate resources; establish an effective system to monitor and punish racist incidents; repress racist and offensive publicity campaigns; teach police to respect foreigners, and set up independent and effective bodies, which can be asked, without fear of reprisal, to investigate allegations of maltreatment and misconduct by police officers.»
«ECRI recommends that the authorities put in place a strategy to counter hostility and discrimination against black Africans in Switzerland. Particular emphasis should be given to ensuring that public officials, and particularly the police, do not act in a discriminatory or wrongful fashion towards members of this group, and that actions taken to combat drug trafficking or other criminal activities do not stigmatise or lead to discrimination against whole groups of persons. In particular, procedures such as identity checks, taking into police custody and body searches – often carried out on the street - should not be carried out solely on the basis of skin colour. As outlined previously, mechanisms – such as local contact points - should be set up to ensure that victims of mistreatment are able to bring complaints, and an independent body should be set up to ensure that such complaints are properly investigated. Training for the police to avoid discriminatory practices of the kind mentioned above should also be stepped up.»
- Source: ECRI 2003, al. 92
Update: 21.12.2007
