Discrimination and violence against vulnerable groups
25.The Committee is concerned:
(a) About reports that there is no comprehensive domestic law against discrimination and that hate crimes and speech is not an offence under the law. The Committee is also concerned at reports that vulnerable groups such as lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) persons are subjected to violence and sexual abuse, both in public and domestic settings, owing to widespread negative social attitudes. The Committee welcomes the official registration of the LGBT Centre and notes with appreciation the indication by the State party of the need for a public awareness-raising campaign regarding LGBT persons;
(b) About reports concerning the discrimination against persons with HIV/AIDS, especially with regard to housing and pre-screening prior to employment;
(c) That, while taking note of the enactment in 2002 of the new Civil Code which stipulates that non-citizens have the same rights as citizens in civil and legal matters, some foreigners may be subjected to organized violence based on ethnic origin (arts. 2 and 16).
The State party should establish a comprehensive legal framework to combat discrimination, including hate crimes and speech. The State party should take measures to bring perpetrators of such crimes to justice. The State party should ensure the protection of vulnerable groups such as sexual minorities, persons living with HIV/AIDS, and some foreigners.
The State party should establish effective policing, enforcement and complaints mechanisms with a view to ensuring prompt, thorough and impartial investigations into allegations of attacks against persons on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity in line with the Yogyakarta Principles on the Application of International Human Rights Law in Relation to Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity. The State party should adopt legislation to combat violence caused by organizations which promote and incite racial, ethnic and other forms of discrimination.
Link to full text of the report: http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/cat/docs/CAT.C.MNG.CO.1_en.pdf