[WCAR] CERD thematic session on Non-Citizens (1-2 March 2004)

Dear all,

The UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is seeking
information from NGOs for its March 2004 thematic session on
Non-Citizens.  Below is an information note for partners, that will help
you to prepare submissions. We also have some background documents,
which we can send to you if you are interested. Please note that we may
not be able to do this until next week, as we are in the process of
moving and our e-mail will be out of action.

Thanks very much
Kathryn

Kind regards,
Chris Chapman
International Officer
Minority Rights Group International

N.B. MRG's NEW ADDRESS & PHONE FROM 15 DECEMBER

54 Commercial Street (Floors 2-4)
London E1 6LT
United Kingdom

Tel: +44 (0) 20 7422 4200
Fax: +44 (0) 20 7422 4201
E-mail: chris.chapman@mrgmail.org
Website: www.minorityrights.org


26 November 2003

Dear Partners,

What: On 1-2 March 2004 the Committee on the Elimination of Racial
Discrimination (CERD) will hold a thematic session on non-citizens and
racial discrimination.

Why: It is likely that the Committee will seek to adopt a General
Recommendation on this subject that will update their earlier
recommendation. General Recommendations inform States parties to the
International Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Racial
Discrimination (ICERD) on the scope of the provisions of the Convention.
States parties to the Convention are then expected to address these
issues in their periodic reports, which the Committee considers in
public dialogue with them during its regular sessions.

Background on NGO involvement: In CERD's thematic session on
discrimination against Roma (2000) and the thematic session on
discrimination based on work and descent (2002) NGOs played a very
important role in providing the Committee with information, and strong
General Recommendations were adopted that have strengthened the
application of the Convention.


How to get involved in the thematic session on non-citizens:

Send in a written statement to the CERD Secretariat: The Secretariat
welcomes information on issues related to non-citizens anywhere in the
world to be forwarded to it. Given that time is short and the Committee
receives considerable information NGOs are advised to keep their
submissions brief (2-3 pages) providing information, for example, on the
situation, on the affected groups, priority areas that need to be
addressed, in relation to particular civil and political, economic,
social and cultural rights and what their state should do to address the
situation. Recommendations can address any number of areas, eg
administrative, legislative etc., regarding statelessness, refugees,
domestic workers, migrant workers . Please note it is particularly
useful to provide concrete recommendations in your submission.

Attend the session and make an oral statement: NGOs and affected people
are able to make oral presentations at the thematic session. Usually
NGOs can speak for 5 minutes. If you plan to be in Geneva and want to
speak you should contact Nathalie Prouvez who heads the Secretariat and
request to be put on the speakers list. This is on a first come first
serve basis so if you wait too long the list might be full. At the same
time as you register to speak you should also submit a copy of your
written statement. This can be the same as your written submission, but
it can also be different - perhaps providing testimonial or stories
describing the situation in your country. The Committee wants to hear
about that.


If you do not have Consultative Status with the United Nations in Geneva
request that the Secretariat arrange a pass for you that you can pick up
on arrival.

Unfortunately MRG is unable to fund attendance to this session so you
are encouraged to seek funding on your own if you want to participate


How MRG can assist you:

§ MRG can comment on a draft of your written or oral submissions as well
as assist you in turning your information into concrete recommendations
to be submitted.
§ MRG can provide you with practical information, for example, how to
get your pass to enter the UN, describe format of the session etc.
§ If you plan to attend MRG can provide you with information as to what
other NGO meetings are taking place that you might want to participate
in.
§ MRG can provide you with useful background documents.


If you make a submission please forward a copy to me and to Kathryn, and
if you plan to attend the session do please let us know.

Attached you will find several useful documents:

CERD Secretariat invitation and contact details
The recent UN study by David Weissbrodt ( 2003/23) on the Rights of
Non-Citizens
CERD's General Recommendation on discrimination against Roma and on work
and descent that will give you an idea as to what the General
Recommendation on non-citizens might look like.
The earlier General Recommendation on non-citizens.


Warm regards,

Margot Salomon			Kathryn Ramsay
Legal Standards Officer		International Advocacy Assistant
margot.salomon@mrgmail.org	kathryn.ramsay@mrgmail.org



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