Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
Ninety-first session
21 November-9 December 2016
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-first to twenty-third periodic reports of Uruguay
Note by the Country Rapporteur
1. The Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination decided at its seventy-sixth session (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. This document contains a list of such themes. This is not an exhaustive list; other issues may also be raised in the course of the dialogue. No written replies are required.
Lack of information on the demographic make-up of the population
2.Information on the results of the 2011 census and statistical data on the make-up of the population of the State party, in particular data on the indigenous population and other ethnic minorities.
Legal, institutional and public policy framework for combating racial discrimination (arts. 2, 4, 6 and 7)
3.Legislative and administrative measures to prevent racial discrimination, including the incorporation of a definition and prohibition of racial discrimination into domestic legislation in line with article 1 (1) of the Convention (see CERD/C/URY/CO/16-20, para. 9).
4.The adoption, implementation and assessment of plans and strategies to combat racial discrimination and racism, such as the National Plan against Racism and Discrimination (see CERD/C/URY/21-23, para. 28), the National Plan for Coexistence and Human Rights and the National Plan against Discrimination (see CERD/C/URY/21-23, paras. 102 and 103) and the resources allocated thereto.
5.Information on the mandate, operations and make-up of the Honorary Commission against Racism, Xenophobia and All Other Forms of Discrimination and on the financial, material, technical and human resources allocated to it (see CERD/C/URY/21-23, para. 9 (a)).
6.Information on the mandate, operations and make-up of the Inter-agency Committee for the Preparation of Reports to the Universal Periodic Review Mechanism and the Treaty Bodies (see CERD/C/URY/21-23, para. 2).
Situation of persons of African descent and indigenous peoples (arts. 1-7)
7.Further information on the impact of the measures adopted in the fight against racism and structural discrimination, which continue to harm persons of African descent (see CERD/C/URY/21-23, para. 9).
8.Specific steps taken to reduce the high levels of poverty and improve the living conditions of persons of African descent and indigenous peoples, especially with regard to their right to adequate housing, their right to water and sanitation and their access to health-care services.
9.The implementation of Act No. 19122 of 21 August 2013 on standards for the promotion of the participation of persons of African descent in education and employment and on affirmative action measures to ensure their access to work and improve their working conditions (see CERD/C/URY/21-23, para. 26).
10.Information on the results of the measures taken to increase the participation of Afrodescendants in education and to reduce the dropout rate, especially at the secondary level, among children and adolescents of African descent. Steps taken to reduce the disparities in educational attainment between Afrodescendants and the rest of the population, in particular the differences in graduation rates from middle and higher education.
11.Effective mechanisms that enable Afrodescendants and indigenous peoples to participate in politics, especially at the decision-making level.
12.Measures to promote and disseminate the cultural identity of Afrodescendants and indigenous peoples, including their history, traditions and customs; in particular, information on the application of Act No. 18589 on the Day of the Charrúa Nation and Indigenous Identity. Progress made in the inclusion of a component on the cultural heritage of Afrodescendants and indigenous peoples in school curricula (see CERD/C/URY/21-23, paras. 91-93).
Situation of non-citizens, particularly migrants, refugees and asylum seekers(arts. 1-7)
13.Data on the situation of migrants, including those in an irregular situation, asylum seekers and refugees, in particular in relation to access to education, housing, health services and employment.
14.Measures to protect migrant workers against abusive practices in the workplace, especially in the agricultural sector and domestic work, and updated information on any sanctions imposed by the labour inspectorate or other bodies.
Situation of Afrodescendent and indigenous women
15.Information on measures taken to combat the multiple, intersectional forms of discrimination suffered by indigenous and Afrodescendent women, which impede, in particular, their participation in decision-making and their access to a decent standard of living, education, work and health-care services, including sexual and reproductive health services.
Access to justice and the fight against racial discrimination (arts. 5 and 6)
16.Information on the number of complaints received, admitted and processed, on ex officio investigations and on any penalties imposed in cases of racial discrimination or racism by the Honorary Commission against Racism, Xenophobia and All Other Forms of Discrimination and the National Human Rights Institution and Ombudsman’s Office (see CERD/C/URY/21-23, para. 73).
17.Information on the number of complaints received, investigations and judicial proceedings conducted and penalties imposed pursuant to Act No. 17677 of 29 July 2003 on incitement to hatred, contempt or violence or the commission of such acts against certain persons (see CERD/C/URY/21-23, para. 37 (e)).
18.Access to justice on the part of Afrodescendants, indigenous peoples, migrants, asylum seekers and refugees and discrimination against them in the justice system.