A/CONF.189/PC.1/7
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(f)
In the United States, the Afro-American organization “Nation of Islam” is
considered by both Muslim and Jewish leaders to be an extremist group within the American
Muslim community and a source of intolerance purveying messages of hatred for whites,
Catholics, Jews, Arabs, women, etc. (E/CN.4/1999/58/Add.1, para. 39).120
(b)
Discrimination between variants within ethnic and religious minorities or groups
113. This hypothesis can concern ethnic and religious groups or minorities that are in principle
different, but within which ethnic or even religious variations mark out subgroups. A second
variant may be found in a country where there is a religious majority, but the population is so
ethnically mixed that it is difficult to distinguish clearly between religious and ethnic conflicts.
This category applies to many African States (see, for example, E/CN.4/1995/91, paras. 57-58).
114. In Ethiopia, the epitome of the multi-ethnic society (95 registered ethnic groups), in
addition to the rivalry between Christians and Muslims (40 per cent of the population), tensions
between the Protestant and Orthodox churches have been noted by the Special Rapporteur
(ibid., para. 55). In Viet Nam, discrimination involving ethnic and religious minorities (more
than 53 ethnic groups) or internal communities within these minorities have been noted by the
Special Rapporteur (against the Buddhist Church, the Cao Dai Church,121 the Roman Catholic
Church) (ibid., para. 100). In this context, it is important to note in particular the restrictions and
discrimination suffered by the Khmer Krom community: these are the descendants of the
Khmers of the Angkor civilization, Buddhist by religion but of Indian origin
(E/CN.4/1999/58/Add.2, paras. 44, 68 and 118).
(c)
Discrimination involving minorities which are ethnically homogenous but define
themselves in religious terms
115. Situations arising as a result of war, ethnic claims or “ethno-centric” nationalist
movements are conducive to discrimination of this kind. In the Balkans, for example, the
collapse of the State gave rise to micro-States that have been incapable of overcoming the ethnic
and religious rivalries between the “constituent nations or peoples” and the other nations and
minorities. In these countries, there is an ethnic dimension to religion, and religion may even
become a “nationality”. Multiple identities become intertwined and people are “nationals” to
varying degrees, despite the constitutional guarantee of non-discrimination.
116. In Croatia, Serbs and other minorities are reported to be suffering from harassment,
looting and many forms of discrimination, in particular as regards the application of the law and
criteria for recognizing Croatian nationality.122 In Bosnia and Herzegovina, refugees belonging
to minorities suffer intimidation and violence and their homes are being destroyed, in order to
discourage their voluntary return.123 In Kosovo, the gross violations of human rights suffered by
ethnic Albanians (torture, deaths in detention, summary executions, widespread destruction of
homes, property and villages, mass forced displacement, mass destruction of identity documents,
etc.) can be compared to the crime of genocide and have been condemned in several international
instruments.124 The presence in Kosovo of KFOR, an international force, has not prevented the
resurgence of inter-ethnic conflicts between the Serb and Albanian communities, notably in the
town of Mitrovica in February 2000, further complicating the search for a political solution in
Kosovo.