CERD UNITED NATIONS International Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Racial Discrimination Distr. GENERAL CERD/C/AZE/CO/4 14 April 2005 Original: ENGLISH COMMITTEE ON THE ELIMINATION OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION Sixty-sixth session 21 February-11 March 2005 CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS SUBMITTED BY STATES PARTIES UNDER ARTICLE 9 OF THE CONVENTION Concluding observations of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination AZERBAIJAN 1. The Committee considered the third and fourth periodic reports of Azerbaijan, submitted in one document (CERD/C/440/Add.1), at its 1691st and 1692nd meetings (CERD/C/SR.1691 and 1692), held on 4 and 7 March 2005. At its 1700th meeting (CERD/C/SR.1700), held on 11 March 2005, it adopted the following concluding observations. A. Introduction 2. The Committee welcomes the report submitted by the State party and the additional oral information provided by the delegation. The Committee has been encouraged by the attendance of the high-ranking delegation and expresses its appreciation for the opportunity to continue its dialogue with the State party. However, it regrets that the report as a whole does not contain sufficient information on the practical implementation of the Convention. B. Positive aspects 3. The Committee notes with satisfaction the enactment of new legislation containing anti-discrimination provisions, including the Criminal Code and the Code of Criminal Procedure. GE.05-41080 (E) 250505