ALTERNATIVE REPORTS TO THE COMMITTEE ON THE ELIMINATION OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION (CERD)
On 3 and 6 March 2006, Botswana will present its State Party report to the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD). This will be the 68th Session of the Committee and will be held in Geneva from 20 February to 8 March 2006.
DITSHWANELO – The Botswana Centre for Human Rights will also present its shadow report, addressing how far Botswana is complying with its obligations under the Convention, the Recommndations of CERD from 2002 as well as highlighting developments and areas of continuing concern. Marginalised sectors of society continue to face daily discrimination in Botswana.This report raises concerns in relation to Indigenous Peoples, Illegal Immigrants, Refugees, Prohibited Immigrants, the Death Penalty, Access to Justice and Education and how discrimination based on origin and ethnicity are manifested in these areas.
RETENG: The Multicultural Coalition of Botswana has also submitted an alternative report to CERD focussing mainly on issues affecting ethnic minorities and indigenous peoples. It gives a detailed analysis of the Constitutional Amendment Bill and other discriminatory laws and provisions, which continue to negatively impact on ethnic minorities and perpetuate discrimination. It provides examples of discriminatory practices against ethnic groups which are not part of the dominant Tswana communities, and recommends a solution to linguistic and ethnic discrimination in Botswana.
Minority Rights Group International (MRG) based in London UK has also added its voice to the appeals to CERD in relation to the upcoming consideration of Botswana's report.The alternative report submitted by MRG focusses on "the discrimination faced by non-Tswana tribes of Botswana, and more specifically, on the privileged status and access of the Tswana speaking tribes to the House of Chiefs". Their report is to be read in conjunction with ReTeng's report.
The Centre on Housing Rights and Evictions (COHRE) has also submitted an alternative report on the housing rights of the Basarwa/San in Botswana.
Botswana last submitted a State Party report to CERD in 2002. This was a consolidated report as Botswana had not submitted the sixth to fourteeth report due to CERD. Based on its considerations of the State Party report as well as the alternative reports submitted by DITSHWANELO and the Wayeyi People, CERD made certain recommendations to Botswana. The reports submitted this year also highlight areas of non-compliance with CERD's 2002 recommendations.
Relevant Documents:
Botswana's State Party Report 2006
Botswana's State Party Report 2002
CERD Concluding Observations 2002
DITSHWANELO's Shadow Report 2006
DITSHWANELO's Shadow Report 2002
ReTeng's Shadow Report 2006
MRG's Shadow Report 2006 |
