A/HRC/21/27
education campaigns. Switzerland was a secular, pluralistic and multicultural society with
foreigners constituting over 20 per cent of its resident population.
61.
The fight against racism was an ongoing task for the Government and two
institutions had been created for this purpose, namely, the Service for Combating Racism
and the Federal Commission against Racism. The Service for Combating Racism was the
Federal Government’s focal point for all matters relating to the fight against racism, antiSemitism and xenophobia. It played an important role in specialized support, including
training and publication and networking. It awarded grants to specifically anti-racist
projects. The Federal Commission against Racism is involved in awareness-raising and
public relations activities through campaigns, public events, publications and newspaper
articles.
Trinidad and Tobago
[Original: English]
[7 June 2012]
62.
Trinidad and Tobago reported that, although it had no piece of legislation that
expressly defined racial discrimination, its Constitution, provided for the enjoyment of
rights without discrimination on grounds of race, origin, colour, religion or sex.
Additionally, the Equal Opportunities Act 2000 prohibited discrimination on the basis of
race, ethnicity, origin, sex, religion, marital status or disability in the context of
employment, education, and the provision of goods and services. The Equal Opportunity
Commission and the Equal Opportunity Tribunal respectively investigated or adjudicated
cases of discrimination. While penal law did not specifically mention racially motivated
crimes, the Offences against the Person Act created penalties for offences some of which
may be motivated by racial considerations.
63.
Three pieces of legislation were in place to address extremist groups namely,
Genocide Act, Anti-Terrorism Act and the Sedition Act. The Prime Minister and the
Peoples Partnership Government had emphasized tolerance and cultural and religious
awareness within her office and in the wider society. Trinidad and Tobago reported that
racist attitudes were learned through acculturation and the family and schools had an
important role to play in encouraging acceptance and tolerance.
Turkey
[Original: French]
[3 May 2012]
64.
Turkey emphasized its commitment to the fight against all kinds of discrimination,
in particular through the incorporation of sound and effective measures into its legislation
concerning non-discrimination. Article 10 of the Constitution of Turkey guaranteed
equality before the law and acts of discrimination were prohibited and penalized by law.
65.
Equality was enshrined in various other laws regulating specific areas of political,
social and economic life. Article 8 of the Civil Code enshrined equality in capacity of
persons as subject to rights, while article 4 of the Law on Social Services and Child
Protection underscored non-discrimination in eligibility to receive social benefits. The
Political Parties Law (No. 2820) prohibited political parties founded on regional, racial,
communitarian, religious or sectarian grounds and articles 4 and 8 of the Basic Law on
National Education stipulated the principle of equality in education, and gender equality
and affirmative action, respectively. These provisions were complemented by article 5 of
the Labour Law which provided for non-discrimination and equal treatment, as well as
article 4 of the Law on Disabled People which stipulated non-discrimination against people
with disabilities.
15
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