COMMITTEE ON THE ELIMINATION
OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION
CONSIDERATION
OF REPORTS SUBMITTED BY STATES PARTIES
UNDER ARTICLE 9 OF THE CONVENTION
Concluding
observations of the Committee on the
Elimination of Racial Discrimination
Mauritius
268.
At its 1028th meeting, on 10 March 1994 (see CERD/C/SR.1028),
the Committee reviewed the implementation of the Convention by
Mauritius based on its previous report (CERD/C/131/Add.8) and
the consideration thereof by the Committee (see CERD/C/SR.782
and 792). The Committee noted that no new report had been received
since 1984.
269.
It was noted that, according to a 1990 estimate, the population
of Mauritius was 1.12 million and was ethnically very complex.
The majority of the inhabitants were Hindu, descended from the
indentured field labourers transported from India after the emancipation
of African, Malagasy and Creole slaves. The former bondsmen had
gravitated towards towns and coastal villages, where 250,000 Creoles
now lived. Muslims from South Asia numbered 150,000 and were mainly
artisans and tradesmen. There was a Chinese middle class with
fewer than 30,000 members and a European (Franco-Mauritian) plutocracy
of 10,000.
270.
Members of the Committee noted that the State party had not provided
the additional information requested by the Committee at the examination
of its previous report. At that time, the Committee had wished
to know what measures had been taken to apply article 4 of the
Convention; how unemployment had affected the standard of living
of the various ethnic groups; what legal remedies were available
to victims of racial discrimination; and whether access to primary,
secondary and higher education was enjoyed equally by the various
ethnic groups.
Concluding
observations
271.
At its 1037th meeting, on 15 March 1994, the Committee adopted
the following concluding observations.
272.
Regret is expressed that Mauritius has not submitted a report
since 1984 and that it has not responded to the Committee's invitation
to take part in its deliberations at the current session. It recalls
that, in accordance with article 9 of the Convention, Mauritius
is under the obligation to submit periodic reports on the measures
that it has adopted with a view to giving effect to the provisions
of the Convention. The State is therefore requested to comply
fully with its reporting obligations under the Convention and
to submit its periodic report without further delay. In this connection,
the attention of the Government of Mauritius is drawn to the possibility,
in case of difficulties encountered in the preparation of its
report, of requesting technical assistance from the United Nations
under the advisory services and technical assistance programme
of the Centre for Human Rights.
273.
It is noted that there have been no reports of human rights violations
with a racial background in Mauritius and that the overall situation
in the country does not provide grounds for serious concern. However,
it is expected that the next report of the State party will contain
more precise information concerning the ethnic composition of
the population, measures taken to give effect to article 4 of
the Convention and the availability of legal remedies for persons
who believe themselves to be victims of violations of their rights
as covered by the Convention. Information is also desired on how
the educational system promotes tolerance among the racial and
ethnic groups.
274.
The Committee draws the attention of the State party to the amendment
to article 8, paragraph 6, of the Convention, which was approved
by the fifteenth meeting of States parties and by the General
Assembly in its resolution 47/111, and encourages the State party
to expedite its action formally to accept that amendment.