Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

Eight ieth session

13 February – 9 March 2012

Implementation of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination

List of themes to be taken up in connection with the consideration of the sixteenth to eighteenth periodic reports of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (CERD/C/LAO/16-18)*

The following is a list of themes identified by the Country Rapporteur in connection with the consideration of the sixteenth and eighteenth periodic reports of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. The list is meant to guide the dialogue between the State party delegation and the Committee and does not require written replies. This is not an exhaustive list as other issues will be raised in the course of the dialogue.

1.Framework of implementation of the Convention and availability of remedies in cases of racial discrimination (arts. 2, 6, 7)

(a)Status of the Convention in the domestic hierarchy of norms;

(b)Court cases on racial discrimination;

(c)Perspective of creation of an independent national human rights institution, in accordance with the principles relating to the status of national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights (Paris Principles);

(d)Role of civil society in the elaboration of the report and in combatting racial discrimination;

(e)Awareness of human rights and of the Convention among the general population and law enforcement officials.

2.Legislation against racial discrimination (arts. 1, 4)

(a)Conformity of the definition of racial discrimination with article 1 of the Convention;

(b)Conformity of penal legislation against racial discrimination with article 4 of the Convention.

3.Equality and challenges encountered by smaller ethnic groups (arts. 2, 3, 5 and 7)

(a)Rights guaranteed to persons belonging to minorities;

(b) Impact of development activities undertaken in favour of ethnic groups established in remote areas and the northern region;

(c)Language barriers in the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights;

(d)Implementation of the policy of resettlement of members of ethnic groups from the mountains and highlands to the plains;

(e)Security and protection of the Hmong minority against violence;

(f)Impact of mining, hydroelectric and farming activities on the life conditions of ethnic groups.