A/HRC/15/42
observations, the Committee expressed concern at the relatively high dropout rate from
school of ethnic minority girls from rural areas, and noted the lack of information and
statistics about, inter alia, women belonging to ethnic and religious minorities.
Forty-fourth session (20 July–7 August 2009)
54.
At its forty-fourth session, the Committee expressed regret at the lack of information
and statistics concerning minority women in Japan, as well as the lack of any proactive
measures, such as a policy framework, to promote their rights. It recommended that Japan
should take effective measures, including the adoption of a policy framework and
temporary special measures, such as appointing minority women representatives to
decision-making bodies to combat discrimination against minority women.
55.
The Committee also called for a comprehensive study on the situation of minority
women in Japan, particularly from the Ainu, Buraku, Zainichi Korean and Okinawa
communities.
56.
The Committee expressed concern at persistent media stereotyping and negative
portrayals of ethnic minority women in Switzerland. It recommended targeted measures for
the media and educational system to promote a more positive image of ethnic minority
women and women from migrant backgrounds. In relation to the report submitted by Spain,
the Committee expressed concern about the lack of positive media portrayals of minority
women, including Romani women and women with migrant backgrounds.
5.
Committee on the Rights of the Child
Fiftieth session (12–30 January 2009)
57.
At its fiftieth session, in its concluding observations to the report submitted by the
Republic of Moldova, the Committee on the Rights of the Child found that Romani
children faced limited access to education, health care and an adequate standard of living.
In its concluding observations on the report submitted by the Netherlands, the Committee
urged the State party to ensure full protection against discrimination on the grounds of
national and/or ethnic origin and, if necessary, to take affirmative action for the benefit of,
inter alia, children belonging to minority groups.
Fifty-first session (25 May–12 June 2009)
58.
At its fifty-first session, in its concluding observations on the report submitted by
Bangladesh, the Committee recommended that the State party should take the necessary
measures to ensure that minority and indigenous children were not discriminated against in
the enjoyment of their right to access basic and specialized health services. It also
recommended that Bangladesh should consider making multilingual education available in
remote areas for minority and indigenous children.
59.
Regarding the report submitted by France, the Committee reiterated its
recommendation that the State party review its position with respect to children belonging
to minority groups and to consider withdrawing its reservation to article 30 of the
Convention, as well as declarations with regard to articles 6 and 40. While welcoming the
inclusion in school curricula of activities to counter racism, anti-Semitism and xenophobia,
the Committee expressed concern at cases of persistent discrimination hampering social
progress, justice and non-discrimination, especially with respect to children residing in the
overseas departments and territories, asylum-seeking and refugee children, as well as
children belonging to minority groups, such as Roma, travellers (gens du voyage) and
religious minorities.
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