United Nations International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination CERD/C/DZA/CO/15-19 Distr.: General 20 February 2013 English Original: French Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination Concluding observations on the fifteenth to nineteenth periodic reports of Algeria, adopted by the Committee at its eighty-second session 1. The Committee considered the combined fifteenth to nineteenth periodic reports of Algeria (CERD/C/DZA/15-19) at its 2209th and 2210th meetings (CERD/C/SR.2209 and 2210), held on 13 and 14 February 2013. At its 2225th meeting (CERD/C/SR.2225), held on 25 February 2013, it adopted the following concluding observations. A. Introduction 2. The Committee welcomes the submission of the combined fifteenth to nineteenth periodic reports of the State party. It notes that the report is in conformity with the Committee’s reporting guidelines. However, the Committee regrets that it was submitted with a delay of nearly 10 years. 3. The Committee welcomes the open and constructive dialogue held with the State party’s delegation, which included representatives of several ministries and institutions. It thanks the delegation for the oral presentation and the detailed responses provided during the consideration of the report. B. Positive aspects 4. The Committee welcomes the constitutional review of 22 April 2002, which resulted in the establishment of the Amazigh language as a national language. 5. The Committee notes with interest the 2001 review of the Criminal Code establishing provisions on aggravating circumstances for racially motivated offences. 6. The Committee takes note of the activities of the High Commission on Amazighness, including the publication of books in Tamazight and the awarding of grants to cultural and scientific associations to promote Amazigh culture. 7. The Committee notes with interest that article 10 of the Education Act of 23 January 2008 stipulates that the State guarantees the right to education for all, without discrimination based on sex or social or geographical origin. It commends the State party on achieving a primary education enrolment rate of 98 per cent. GE.13-42646 (E) 290413 010513