Abner Louima won over $9m in damages after being abused by New York police

In spite of warnings, the US failed to send a report on its race relations record until now.

Cerd criticises what it sees as "incidents of police violence and brutality" against minority groups and urges the US to take immediate and effective measures to ensure police are given proper training.

The report also notes with concern that the majority of prisoners in federal, state and local jails are members of ethnic minority groups, primarily African Americans and Hispanics.

The use of the death penalty in America is raised as a serious concern by Cerd members who say they have noted what they call a "a disturbing correlation between race and the imposition of the death penalty".

It is recommended that the US impose a moratorium to ensure that no death penalty is imposed as a result of racial bias.

China's refugees

The plight of North Koreans trying to enter China was put under the spotlight two months ago when a family of seven North Koreans walked into the office of the High Commissioner for Refugees in Beijing demanding political asylum.

A North Korean family put China on the spot

In a veiled attack on China over the incident, Cerd said it was concerned that North Koreans were "systematically refused asylum and returned" even in cases where the UN had advised otherwise.

Cerd's report stated that different standards of treatment were applied to Indochinese asylum seekers and asylum seekers of other national origins.

It urged China to adopt formal legal procedures to ensure equal treatment of all refugees.

The report also raised concerns about the restricted right of minority groups to freely practice their religions and said that special attention should be given to minorities living in the Muslim part of Tibet.

Liberian compliance

Liberia has never fulfilled its obligations by sending reports or spokesmen to Cerd.

Refugees in west Africa face discrimination

Cerd said it was particularly concerned by reports of extra-judicial killings, allegations of torture and rape and the lack of accountability of perpetrators, including government security forces, for these abuses.

The Committee also expressed alarm at the situation of refugees who had fled Liberia during the civil war, saying little was being done to help repatriate and reintegrate them.

Meanwhile, refugees who had fled into Liberia from Sierra Leone were noted to be a particularly vulnerable group and the report suggested their plight was "disturbing".

The Committee has now written to the Liberian government to ask if panel members may visit the country in order to make a proper assessment of the treatment of ethnic groups.

Cerd bases its observations on information supplied by the country under review and on advice offered by non-governmental organisations.