Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

Seventy-eighth session

14 February – 11 March 2011

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 fifth and sixth periodic reports of Armenia (CERD/C/ARM/5-6)

The following is a list of themes identified by the country rapporteur in connection with the consideration of the combined fifth and sixth periodic reports of Armenia. 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.Situation of national minorities:

(a)The situation of the participation of national minorities in public life: members of Parliament, other elected bodies, the Government and other governmental bodies; in the police, army, judiciary, medical profession, education; leaders of political parties, NGOs or cultural associations;

(b)Effectiveness of existing mechanisms of dialogue and consultation, such as the Coordinating Council for National Minorities, in bringing the concerns of minorities to political forums;

(c)Information on the social and economic situation of minorities of the country; data concerning unemployment among them; the situation of health, the enrollment rate, as compared to that of the majority;

(d)Update on situation of Yezidis with regard to access to land, water and grazing spaces including information on: why they are in this situation; other actors in competition for their land; and applicable laws;

(e)Situation of minority groups in the field of education, as compared with that of the majority and among groups; number of schools providing teaching in mother tongue, or where mother tongue is taught, at all levels; number of pupils and teachers for them.

2.Situation of non-citizens:

(a)Legislation in force on access to citizenship; results of its implementation;

(b)Situation of refugees and asylum-seekers;

(c)Economic and social situation of non-citizens.

3.Indirect discrimination:

Legislation and measures meant to avoid and eliminate indirect discrimination in the fields of employment and access to education, housing and land.

4.Special measures:

The concept of special measures in the legislation and policies of the State party: whether special measures are considered necessary and in what fields; whether there are vulnerable groups or individuals who would deserve to benefit therefrom.

5.Double discrimination based mainly on sex and ethnic origin:

Whether such discrimination exists in the country; if so, what measures are taken to prevent and eliminate it.

____________________