CERD/C/CZE/CO/7
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reparation, including through the establishment of criminal responsibilities and
the creation of a fund to assist victims in bringing their claims. The Committee
urges the State party to establish clear and compulsory criteria for the
informed consent of women prior to sterilization and ensure that criteria and
procedures to be followed are well known to practitioners and the public.
15.
The Committee is concerned that, despite the adoption of the new Employment Act
of 2004 and programmes undertaken by the State party, unemployment among Roma
continues to be particularly high and that Roma face persistent discrimination in recruitment.
(articles 2 and 5 (e) (i))
The State party should adopt more effective strategies to promote the
employment of Roma in the public administration and institutions, as well as in
private companies, and to ensure that they are not discriminated against in the
enjoyment of their right to work.
16.
The Committee reiterates its concern about information according to which Roma
people are particularly vulnerable to evictions and segregation in housing, and regrets that
the State party has not taken sufficient action to tackle this issue. While noting the
undertaking of the State party to support the construction of subsidized flats by
municipalities, the Committee is concerned that the autonomy of municipalities under
domestic law is described by the State party as an obstacle to the fulfilment of its
obligations to ensure the enjoyment of the right to housing by all without discrimination, in
particular at the local level. It is further concerned that domestic regulations do not clearly
prohibit racial discrimination in the enjoyment of the right to housing. (articles 2, 3 and 5 (e)
(iii))
The Committee reminds the State party that it may not invoke the provisions of
its internal law as a justification for its failure to implement the Convention,
and urges the State party to adopt all steps necessary to ensure the right to
housing to all without discrimination, whether direct or indirect, based on race,
colour, descent or national or ethnic origin, including in particular at the local
level. The State party should ensure that domestic legislation clearly prohibits
racial discrimination in the enjoyment of the right to housing, and protects
vulnerable persons, including Roma, from evictions. In particular, such
legislation should include measures providing the greatest possible security for
tenants and strictly enumerate the circumstances under which evictions may be
carried out.
17.
The Committee is deeply concerned by consistent information according to which
the Roma suffer racial segregation on the State party’s territory in the field of education, a
situation that the State party does not seem to fully acknowledge. It notes with particular
concern that a disproportionately large number of Roma children attend “special schools”.
While noting the views of the State party that this results from the vulnerable situation of
the Roma and the need to adopt special measures to respond to their needs, and having