A/51/536
English
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within the scope of the Convention as the term "descent" was referred to in
article 1 of the Convention, on the definition of racial discrimination. The
Committee added that it was seriously concerned that the Kashmiris, as well as
other groups, were frequently treated in ways contrary to the basic provisions
of the Convention, on account of their ethnic, or national origin.
102. In its concluding observations on China (CERD/C/304/Add.15), the Committee
expressed satisfaction at the efforts to preserve the linguistic heritage of the
minority nationalities. Such efforts included the provision of textbooks,
development of school curricula and the publication of newspapers and other
literary works in the minority languages. With respect to the autonomous areas,
it noted with appreciation that the law on regional autonomy for minority
nationalities guaranteed that a proportion of the local government officials be
drawn from local nationalities. The Committee however expressed concern with
regard to the actual enjoyment of the right to freedom of religion in the State,
particularly in the Muslim parts of Xinjiang and in Tibet Autonomous Region,
including the preservation of places of worship and the exercise of religious
rights by members of all ethnic groups. The Committee also expressed concern
that in secondary school and university, children from minority nationalities
were under-represented. In addition, efforts with respect to economic
development and national modernization should not deprive members of such ethnic
groups of their right to their own culture, in particular their traditional ways
of life. The Committee recommended that more members of minority nationalities
be included in positions of leadership, that the State party ensure access by
members of minority nationalities to education at all levels, and that, in
autonomous areas, instruction on the history and culture of the relevant
minority nationalities be included in the school curricula.
D.
Committee on the Rights of the Child
103. The Committee on the Rights of the Child has continued to monitor the State
party treaty obligations under the Convention on the Rights of the Child, in
particular article 30, on the rights of children belonging to ethnic, religious
or linguistic minorities to enjoy his or her own culture, to profess and
practise his or her own religion, or to use his or her own language.
Eleventh session
104. At its eleventh session, the Committee on the rights of the child had
before it the following State party reports: Yugoslavia (CRC/C/8/Add.16),
Croatia (CRC/C/8/Add.19 and annex), Yemen (CRC/C/8/Add.20), Republic of Korea
(CRC/C/8/Add.21), Iceland (CRC/C/11/Add.6), Finland (CRC/C/8/Add.22) and
Mongolia (CRC/C/3/Add.32). The concluding observations of its eleventh and
twelfth sessions are contained in documents CRC/C/50 and CRC/C/54 respectively.
105. In its concluding observations on the report of the Federal Republic of
Yugoslavia, the Committee raised various points of concern with reference to the
implementation of article 2 of the Convention, relating to non-discrimination.
It expressed grave concern about the situation of Albanian-speaking children in
Kosovo, especially with regard to their health and education. It also expressed
concern over reports of the treatment of persons, including children, belonging
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