The following are excerpts on issues related to Southern Mongolia from UN TV video archives of the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) 96th Session's review of China in Geneva from August 10-13, 2018, and the Committee's concluding observation published on Sep 19, 2018:

 

 

CERD China review concluding observation on Southern Mongolia:

Resettlement and land expropriation

26. The Committee is concerned by reports that large numbers of farmers and nomadic herders, including from ethnic autonomous areas, have lost their traditional lands and livelihoods owing to poverty alleviation and ecological restoration resettlement measures that could be seen as aggressive development models. While noting the statements delivered by the State party delegation concerning assistance and compensation provided to individuals who have been resettled through these measures, the Committee is nevertheless concerned by reports that compensation for expropriated property is often insufficient to maintain an adequate standard of living; the Committee is concerned, for example, by reports that many resettled ethnic Mongolians have not received sufficient compensation for the loss of their traditional livelihoods as herders owing to a ban on livestock grazing. It is also concerned by reports that, despite an official policy of voluntary resettlement, in practice informed consent is not consistently obtained (arts. 2 and 5).

27. The Committee recommends that the State party fully implement the recommendations contained in paragraphs 30 and 31 of the concluding observations of the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (E/C.12/CHN/CO/2). It also recommends that, in cases of resettlement in ethnic minority areas, the authorities work closely and effectively with ethnic minority government officials and communities and provide financial allowances that ensure an adequate standard of living, as well as livelihood restoration measures and, where needed, linguistic and cultural integration assistance.

Ethnic Mongolians

45. The Committee is concerned by reports of abuses by State authorities against ethnic Mongolians peacefully protesting against the confiscation of land and development activities that have resulted in environmental harm. The Committee is also concerned by reports of a significant reduction in the availability of Mongolian-language public schooling (arts. 2 and 5).

46. The Committee recommends that the State party ensure the ability of ethnic minorities to safely conduct peaceful protests, and investigate and sanction any allegations of abuse or harassment during such incidents, whether inflicted by private or State agents. The Committee also recommends that the State party ensure the availability of Mongolian-language public education for ethnic Mongolians, including those residing outside of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.

Employment

47. The Committee welcomes the information provided by the State party, including Hong Kong, China, on the measures they have taken to promote the employment of ethnic minorities. While noting the State party’s regional unemployment rate statistics, the Committee observes with concern, however, that they are not disaggregated by ethnicity. The Committee is also concerned by the lack of information from the State party about labour inspections and investigations relating to racially discriminatory practices in employment. It notes with concern that most of the 51 employment-related racial discrimination complaints handled by the Equal Opportunities Commission in Hong Kong, China between April 2013 and March 2018 were discontinued owing to a lack of substance. The Committee is also concerned by reports that ethnic Uighurs, Mongolians and Tibetans, together with certain other ethnic minorities in China, including Hong Kong, China, often face discrimination in job advertisements and recruitment processes. The Committee is further concerned that, from 2015 to 2017, the Labour Affairs Bureau in Macao, China did not open any cases relating to racial discrimination (arts. 2, 5 and 6).