Parallel report to the UN Committee against all forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD) (2021)
Did you know that in Belgium there is no legal framework allowing a person who is being controlled by the police to know why he or she is being checked out? That it took twelve years for a royal decree on positive actions in the workplace to be approved for the private sector, and that this still did not happen for the public sector? And that Belgium, during the Durban conference (2001), committed itself to drawing up an inter-federal action plan against racism, the implementation of which only started this year (2021)?
You can read about all this and many other topics in the parallel report of Unia and Myria to the UN Committee against all forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD).
As a national human rights institution, Unia submits a parallel report every time Belgium is subject to a periodic review. The UN Committees use these reports and the reports of civil society as a basis for their dialogue with Belgium regarding the human rights situation in our country and to identify areas where improvements are still necessary.
After this dialogue (which is called 'constructive dialogue'), the Committees submit their 'concluding observations', containing their concerns and recommendations to the Belgian state.
Concluding observations of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD)
In April 2021 a dialogue took place between Belgium and CERD, based on the state report and information provided by the associations and Unia. The CERD adopted these concluding observations on the situation in Belgium.
Comparable publications
Annual report 2020: vulnerable human rights in times of crisis
In this extraordinary year, Unia continued to fight for human rights and equality. The corona pandemic acted like a magnifying glass. Those already in a vulnerable position were often the first or hardest hit by Covid-19 or its measures.
Evaluation of federal anti-discrimination legislation (2017)
Article 52 of the Anti-Discrimination Law states that the application and effectiveness of the anti-discrimination laws must be assessed by the Legislative Chambers. Unia has prepared an assessment report on the Anti-Discrimination Law and the Anti-Racism Law based on its own practical experience, national jurisprudence and its general expertise in the fight against discrimination.
Annual report 2015. Living together put to the test.
The year 2015 left a deep mark on our society. Violent conflicts and tensions on a global scale have had a direct impact on us. As we finalise this annual report, Belgium is suffering the repercussions of the bomb attacks at Zaventem airport and Maelbeek metro station in Brussels.
Diversity Barometer Education (2018)
Unia commissioned a study to be carried out about equal opportunities in the schools in the three Communities in Belgium. The Diversity Barometer Education is the final part of a triptych. The first two parts were about Employment (2012) and Housing (2014).