Commending the efforts of those States that have taken measures to eliminate descent-based
discrimination and remedy its consequences,
Strongly encouraging those affected States that have yet to recognize and address this
phenomenon to take steps to do so,
Recalling the positive spirit in which the dialogues between the Committee and Governments
have been conducted on the question of descent-based discrimination and anticipating further such
constructive dialogues,
Attaching the highest importance to its ongoing work in combating all forms of descent-based
discrimination,
Strongly condemning descent-based discrimination, such as discrimination on the basis of
caste and analogous systems of inherited status, as a violation of the Convention,
Recommends that the States parties, as appropriate for their particular circumstances, adopt
some or all of the following measures:
1. Measures of a general nature
(a)
Steps to identify those descent-based communities under their jurisdiction who suffer
from discrimination, especially on the basis of caste and analogous systems of inherited status, and
whose existence may be recognized on the basis of various factors including some or all of the
following: inability or restricted ability to alter inherited status; socially enforced restrictions on
marriage outside the community; private and public segregation, including in housing and education,
access to public spaces, places of worship and public sources of food and water; limitation of freedom
to renounce inherited occupations or degrading or hazardous work; subjection to debt bondage;
subjection to dehumanizing discourses referring to pollution or untouchability; and generalized lack
of respect for their human dignity and equality;
(b)
Consider the incorporation of an explicit prohibition of descent-based discrimination
in the national constitution;
(c)
Review and enact or amend legislation in order to outlaw all forms of discrimination
based on descent in accordance with the Convention;
(d)
Resolutely implement legislation and other measures already in force;
(e)
Formulate and put into action a comprehensive national strategy with the
participation of members of affected communities, including special measures in accordance with
articles 1 and 2 of the Convention, in order to eliminate discrimination against members of descentbased groups;
(f)
Adopt special measures in favour of descent-based groups and communities in order
to ensure their enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms, in particular concerning access
to public functions, employment and education;
(g)
Establish statutory mechanisms, through the strengthening of existing institutions or
the creation of specialized institutions, to promote respect for the equal human rights of members of
descent-based communities;
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