COMMITTEE ON THE ELIMINATION
OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION

CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS SUBMITTED BY STATES PARTIES
UNDER ARTICLE 9 OF THE CONVENTION

Mozambique

172. At its 980th and 983rd meetings, held on 17 and 18 March 1993 (see CERD/C/SR.980 and 983), the Committee reviewed the implementation of the Convention by Mozambique based on its previous report (CERD/C/111/Add.1) and its consideration by the Committee (see CERD/C/SR.681). The Committee noted that no report had been received since 1984.

173. Members of the Committee noted that the State party had submitted only an initial report since it acceded to the Convention in 1983, which the Committee had considered to be excessively brief. The Committee had, however, acknowledged that Mozambique was among the front-line States which were subject to the destabilizing activities of the Government of South Africa. The fact that no report had been received was no doubt due to the war which had ravaged the country and resulted in a massive flow of Mozambican refugees into neighbouring countries.

174. In recent years there had been a number of important developments. A new Constitution, which had been promulgated on 30 November 1990, represented significant progress towards the guarantee of fundamental rights and a pluralist political system. Under the provisions of the Constitution, torture was expressly prohibited and international human rights organizations were accorded permission to visit prison facilities. Discrimination was forbidden under the Constitution, although additional information was needed concerning the definition of racial discrimination in current legislation. That definition should be compatible with the definition of racial discrimination contained in article 1 of the Convention and should reflect the requirements under articles 2, 4, 5, 6 and 7.

175. Members noted that, while racial discrimination did not appear to be practised systematically in Mozambique, the various ethnic groups in the country were not proportionally represented in the administration. In particular, there was a disproportionate representation in Government of members of the Shangana group, as well as whites, Asians and persons of mixed race.

Concluding observations

176. In concluding the review, the Committee expressed regret that Mozambique had not submitted a report since its initial report in 1984 and had not been able to respond to the invitation to participate in the meeting and to furnish the relevant information with regard to the application of the Convention. The Committee drew the attention of the State party to the possibility of requesting technical assistance from the Centre for Human Rights in the preparation of its report. The Committee hoped to receive a new report shortly.

177. At the same time, the Committee expressed its deep concern at the serious human rights violations in Mozambique and its awareness of the current difficulties there, which it hoped might soon be overcome.