E/CN.4/1999/15
page 6
3.
Mission to Indonesia
9.
Following the riots which took place in Indonesia in May 1998, acts of
violence were perpetrated against the Chinese minority in the country. The
Special Rapporteur on violence against women and the Special Rapporteur on
contemporary forms of racism drew attention to this problem by forwarding the
communications they had received to the Indonesian Government. The Government
made its comments and indicated the measures it had taken to protect the
fundamental rights and freedoms of the Chinese minority in Indonesia. A joint
mission by the two Special Rapporteurs was then scheduled. However, owing to
previous commitments both at home and abroad, the Special Rapporteur on
contemporary forms of racism was unable to take part in this mission on the
dates proposed. The reply of the Indonesian Government is contained in
chapter IV of this report.
B.
Missions under consideration by the Special Rapporteur
10.
In order to amplify his analysis of the situation in different parts of
the world, the Special Rapporteur intends to visit Asia and Eastern Europe in
the near future; he will also organize missions in response to emergencies in
other regions, should any arise.
II.
REPLIES OF GOVERNMENTS TO THE SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR'S
REQUEST FOR INFORMATION
11.
On 17 June 1998, in accordance with paragraphs 27 and 28 of
resolution 1998/26, the Special Rapporteur addressed a circular letter to
Governments, intergovernmental organizations and other relevant organizations
of the United Nations system, as well as non-governmental organizations
(NGOs). This chapter includes only the main points of the replies relating
directly to the Special Rapporteur’s mandate which were received from the
Governments of Cyprus, Croatia, Cuba, Finland, Lebanon, Mexico, Portugal,
Turkey and Yugoslavia. The main points of the replies from Brazil, France and
the United Kingdom regarding follow-up to field visits are contained in
chapter V. The full text of these replies containing additional information
is available from the secretariat of the Office of the High Commissioner for
Human Rights.
A.
Cyprus
12.
The Government of Cyprus has transmitted the main provisions of its
legislation to eliminate racial discrimination. Law No. 11 (III) amending Law
No. 12 of 1967 on the ratification of the International Convention on the
Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination was adopted in 1992. The
amendment involved the insertion of an article that criminalized a number of
acts tantamount to forms of racial discrimination. The article reads as
follows:
“Article 2 (a) of Law No. 11 of 1992.
(1)
Criminal offences:
Anyone who, either orally, through the medium of the press or any
document or representation, or by any other means, intentionally
incites others to actions or activities likely to cause