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Indigenous and Tribal Populations Convention, 1957 (No. 107) - Syrian Arab Republic (RATIFICATION: 1959)

The Committee notes the general human rights situation in the country as referred to in its comments under Conventions Nos 29, 105 and 182. The Committee expresses its deep concern about the armed conflict and acts of violence that have caused countless victims, including among the country’s indigenous populations covered by the Convention.

It also notes with regret that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous comments.

Articles 2 and 5 of the Convention. Promoting the social, economic and cultural development of the Bedouin population. The Committee notes from the Government’s report received in August 2003 that various projects concerning the Bedouin population were implemented in the country. Recalling the obligation under Article 5 of the Convention to seek the collaboration of indigenous populations and their representatives when taking measures to give effect to the provisions of the Convention, the Committee requests the Government to indicate in which manner the Bedouin population and its representatives have been, and are involved, in the formulation, implementation and assessment of the projects mentioned in the Government’s report. Please also provide information on the impact of these projects on the promotion of the social, economic and cultural development of the Bedouin population and on their enjoyment of the rights and opportunities provided by the national legal framework on an equal footing with the rest of the national population.

Article 21. Education. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on any initiatives taken and on their impact on ensuring that Bedouin children are given the same opportunity to acquire education at all levels as the other segments of the population. Please also provide information, when possible, on the number of Bedouin boys and girls benefiting from these education programmes and indicate whether the Bedouin population is involved in the shaping of the curricula.

Article 26. Awareness raising. The Committee requests the Government to indicate the measures taken, in a form appropriate to the circumstances, to raise the Bedouin population’s awareness of their rights under the Convention.