The Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination,
Recommends that the States parties to the International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination: (a) If they have not yet done so, consider making the declaration under article 14 of the Convention, in order to enable individuals to resort to the envisaged remedy if they consider themselves to be victims of violations of the rights enshrined in the Convention; CERD/C/GC/33 page 3 (b) If they have made the optional declaration under article 14, increase awareness of this procedure so that its potential can be fully realized; (c) If they have not yet done so, ratify the amendment to article 8 of the Convention on the financing of the Committee; (d) Consider withdrawing their reservations to the Convention, if any, taking into account the evolution in the field of human rights since its adoption; (e) Comply with their reporting obligations under the Convention through timely submission of their periodic reports and other information requested by the Committee, in conformity with the relevant guidelines; (f) Be mindful that their response to the current financial and economic crisis should not lead to a situation which would increase poverty and underdevelopment and, potentially, a rise in racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance against foreigners, immigrants, indigenous peoples, persons belonging to minorities and other particularly vulnerable groups all over the world; (g) Engage with national human rights institutions and civil society, in a spirit of cooperation and respect, while preparing their periodic reports and with regard to follow-up; (h) Cooperate with the Committee in the early-warning and urgent-action procedure and in its follow-up procedure; (i) Include in their periodic reports information on action plans or other measures to implement the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, taking into account the Outcome Document of the Review Conference; (j) When fulfilling their primary responsibility to implement the substantive provisions contained in articles 2 to 7 of the Convention, take into account the relevant parts of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action and the Outcome Document of the Review Conference; (k) Consider establishing or strengthening national monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to ensure that all appropriate steps are taken to follow up on the concluding observations and general recommendations of the Committee;
Also recommends that: (a) States which have not yet acceded to the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination sign and ratify the Convention as soon as possible, with a view to achieving its universal ratification; CERD/C/GC/33 page 4 (b) States include in their national reports to the universal periodic review mechanism of the Human Rights Council information on the measures they have taken to prevent and combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance; (c) All international sporting bodies promote, through their national, regional and international federations, a world of sports free from racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance; (d) The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, through appropriate activities and programmes, further increase awareness of the struggle against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, including with regard to the work of treaty bodies and other human rights mechanisms in this area; (e) The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights continue its efforts to increase awareness of and support for the work of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, including through webcasting of the meetings of the Committee, and to provide the Committee with adequate resources to enable it to discharge its mandate fully, as part of the overall endeavour to strengthen the work of the treaty bodies; (f) The relevant United Nations bodies and specialized agencies provide technical cooperation and assistance to States in order to enhance the effective implementation of the Convention, taking into account the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action and the outcome document of the Review Conference;
Expresses its willingness: (a) To continue to cooperate fully with all relevant organs, agencies and entities of the United Nations system, in particular the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, in following up the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, taking into account the results of the Durban Review Conference; (b) To continue to cooperate with all mechanisms established under the Human Rights Council, in order to promote the implementation of the recommendations of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action and all other activities to combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance; (c) To continue its cooperation and joint activities with other human rights treaty bodies, with a view to achieving a more effective follow up to the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, taking into consideration the Outcome Document of the Review Conference; (d) To fully take into account in its activity the recommendations and conclusions retained in the Outcome Document of the Review Conference. - - - - -CERD/C/GC/33 page 5