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The Committee on the Elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD) held its 78th session from February 14 to March 11, 2011, in Geneva, Switzerland. Reports of the following State Parties were considered by the Committee at this session: Bolivia, Cuba, Uruguay, Norway, Ireland, Spain, Serbia, Yemen, Armenia, Moldova, Lithuania and Rwanda (in the order of examination). On February 15 and 21, CERD had an informal meeting with NGOs that provided information on some of these countries (Bolivia and Uruguay on 15; Norway, Ireland, Spain and Serbia on 21). At this session, CERD also issued 10 letters to the States concerned (Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Kyrgyzstan, Papua New Guinea, Russia, Slovakia, South Africa, Tanzania and USA), adopted one decision (Côte d’Ivoire) and one statement (Libya) under its Early Warning and Urgent Action procedure.(All letters, decisions und statements made by CERD can be downloaded: Here)

In addition, a thematic discussion on discrimination against people of African descent was held on March 7 (Contributions of the panelists and participants can be found at Here) and a general recommendation on the same topic is now being prepared by CERD (further deliberations will be held at its 79th session). Based on our monitoring, this report summarizes the consideration of State reports and concluding observations adopted by CERD at its 78th session. (Due to the difference in working languages, some of the contents may differ from the original or official record of CERD.) Information on individual communications and follow-up procedures examined by the Committee is not included, since it took place in closed meetings.

CERD will hold its 79th Session from August 8 to September2, 2011, in Geneva and examine State reports of Albania, Czech Republic, Georgia, Kenya, Kuwait, the Maldives, Malta, Mexico, Paraguay, Ukraine and the UK.

Members of CERD are (as of 78th session): Mr. Nourredine AMIR (Algeria); Mr. Alexei AVTONOMOV (Russian Federation); Mr. José Francisco CALI TZAY (Vice-Chairperson, Guatemala); Ms. Anastasia CRICKLEY (Ireland); Ms. Fatimta-Binta Victoria DAH (Vice-Chairperson, Burkina Faso); Mr. Ion DIACONU (Romania); Mr. Kokou Mawuena Ika Kana (Dieudonnè) EWOMSAN (Togo); Mr. Régis de GOUTTES (France); Mr. HUANG Yong'an (China); Mr. Anwar KEMAL (Chairperson, Pakistan); Mr. Dilip LAHIRI (India); Mr. Gün KUT (Turkey); Mr. José Augusto LINDGREN ALVES (Brazil); Mr. Pastor Elias MURILLO MARTINEZ (Colombia); Mr. Chris Maina PETER (Tanzania); Mr. Pierre-Richard PROSPER (Vice-Chairperson, USA); Mr. Waliakoye SAIDOU (Niger); and Mr. Patrick THORNBERRY (UK).

(Report by IMADR Geneva Office)
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