United Nations

CERD/C/RUS/Q/23-24*

International Convention on the Elimination of A ll Forms of Racial Discrimination

Distr.: General

22 June 2017

Original: English

English, French, Russian and Spanish only

Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

Ninety-third session

31 July-25 August 2017

Item 4 of the provisional agenda

Consideration of reports, comments and information submitted

by States parties under article 9 of the Convention

List of themes in relation to the combined twenty-third and twenty-fourth periodic reports of the Russian Federation

Note by the Country Rapporteur

1.The Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination decided at its seventy-sixth session (see A/65/18, para. 85) that the Country Rapporteur would send to the State party concerned a short list of themes with a view to guiding and focusing the dialogue between the State party’s delegation and the Committee during the consideration of the State party’s report. The present document contains a list of such themes. It is not an exhaustive list; other issues may also be raised in the course of the dialogue. No written replies are required.

The Convention in domestic law and the institutional and policy framework for its implementation (arts. 2, 4, 6 and 7)

2.Examples of court cases in which the provisions of the Convention were applied by, or invoked before, domestic courts. Information on training for law enforcement personnel aimed at raising awareness about the Convention and its direct applicability in domestic courts (CERD/C/RUS/CO/20-22, para. 9; CERD/C/RUS/23-24, para. 101).

3.Measures to adopt comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation, including a definition of direct and indirect forms of racial discrimination. Updated information on measures to bring the definition of extremism in the law on combatting extremism and in articles 280 and 282 of the State party’s Criminal Code into line with article 4 of the Convention (CERD/C/RUS/CO/20-22, paras. 7 and 13; CERD/C/RUS/23-24, paras. 21-31, 40, 66, 142 and 161).

4.Disaggregated data on racial discrimination-related complaints submitted to the human rights commissioner, including information on the outcomes and on redress provided to victims (CERD/C/RUS/CO/20-22, para. 10; CERD/C/RUS/23-24, paras. 57 and 143-146).

5.Application of anti-discrimination criminal provisions by law enforcement officials and measures to increase the reporting rate among victims. Detailed information on decisions handed down by criminal, civil and administrative courts concerning racial discrimination (CERD/C/RUS/CO/20-22, para. 9; CERD/C/RUS/23-24, paras. 104-106, 140 and 149-154).

Racist hate speech and hate crimes (art. 4)

6.Measures to investigate and deter, and to punish those responsible for, hate crime and hate speech, including acts committed or instigated by politicians, against minority groups such as persons originating from Central Asia, the Caucasus and Africa, as well as against persons of Roma origin, Muslims and migrant workers (CERD/C/RUS/CO/20-22, paras. 11 and 12; CERD/C/RUS/23-24, paras. 149-155).

7.Updated information on measures taken to prevent manifestations of discrimination, hatred and racism in the media, and statistical data on disciplinary and other measures taken by media regulatory bodies to control such manifestations (CERD/C/RUS/CO/20-22, para. 12; CERD/C/RUS/23-24, paras. 70-72 and 156-160).

Discrimination against ethnic minorities (arts. 2-7)

8.Information on the implementation of the State party’s comprehensive plan to address discrimination against, and the social and economic marginalization of, Roma. Detailed information on the results of the analysis carried out in 2015 of the social, economic, ethnic, cultural and legal ramifications of the inclusion of Roma in Russian society and information on any action taken subsequently (CERD/C/RUS/CO/20-22, para. 15; CERD/C/RUS/23-24, paras. 138 and 190-200).

9.Update on measures, including special measures, to address barriers faced by Roma in access to adequate housing and to inclusive quality education. Data on the incidence of forced evictions of Roma since 2011, including information on housing alternatives and compensation provided to affected Roma individuals and on progress achieved in legalizing informal settlements (CERD/C/RUS/CO/20-22, paras. 16-17; CERD/C/RUS/23-24, paras. 201-208).

10.Updated information on measures to regulate the situation of unregistered persons living in the State party, including stateless persons, refugees, and persons granted temporary asylum, and measures to ensure that such persons are not denied enjoyment of their rights in accordance with the provisions of the Convention (CERD/C/RUS/CO/20-22, para. 18; CERD/C/RUS/23-24, paras. 214-227).

11.Statistical data on cases involving abuse of force by police and other law enforcement officials and “Cossack patrols” against persons belonging to ethnic minorities, as well as on the outcomes of investigations, sentences imposed on perpetrators and compensation provided to victims (CERD/C/RUS/CO/20-22, para. 14; CERD/C/RUS/23-24, paras. 175-189).

12.Considering General Assembly resolution No. 71/205 on the situation of human rights in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol (Ukraine) and resolution No. 68/262 on the territorial integrity of Ukraine, information on the impact of the conflict between the State party and Ukraine on the enjoyment of the Convention rights by ethnic minorities and indigenous peoples, including the Crimean Tatars, living in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol. Measures to prevent, investigate and deter acts of abuse of authority and force by law enforcement officials against minority groups.

Situation of indigenous peoples (arts. 2 and 5)

13.Measures to ensure that all groups of indigenous peoples, regardless of their population numbers, can enjoy legal and constitutional protection of their cultural, territorial and political rights (CERD/C/RUS/CO/20-22, para. 20; CERD/C/RUS/23-24, para. 4).

14.Information on the implementation of the existing federal laws and road maps related to use by indigenous peoples of their traditional lands and resources (CERD/C/RUS/CO/20-22, para. 20; CERD/C/RUS/23-24, paras. 52 and 258-261).

15.Information on measures to protect the rights, including land rights, of indigenous peoples in the context of activities by extractive companies, such as those carried out in Kondopoga District in the Republic of Karelia and in the settlement of Kazas. Detailed information on how the principle of free, prior and informed consent is applied in practice (CERD/C/RUS/CO/20-22, para. 20; CERD/C/RUS/23-24, paras. 261-292).

Situation of migrant workers (arts. 5 and 7)

16.Information on measures to address economic exploitation of migrant workers, and to hold exploitative employers accountable and provide redress to victims. Detailed information on the frequency and coverage of labour inspections, especially in occupations overrepresented by migrant workers (CERD/C/RUS/CO/20-22, para. 19; CERD/C/RUS/23-24, paras. 228-229).