HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE APPROVES 1996 WORK PROGRAMME

Press Release
HR/CT/471

HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE APPROVES 1996 WORK PROGRAMME

The Human Rights Committee this morning approved its tentative programme of work for the remainder of 1996, considered its working methods, and heard an update on the number of outstanding reports from countries on their compliance with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which the Committee is charged with monitoring.

In addition, the Committee took note of recommendations by chairmen of human rights treaty bodies, and resumed its discussion of its draft general comments on article 25 of the Covenant. Article 25 concerns the right to take part in public affairs, to vote or be elected, and to have access to public service.

According to the work programme approved for the Committee's July session, it will consider the initial reports of Brazil and Switzerland; the third report of Peru (postponed from this session); and continue consideration of Nigeria's initial report. If Afghanistan's third report is received by 31 May, the Committee will try to accommodate that during the July session. Denmark and Gabon will be on the reserve list, for possible consideration.

For its October session, the Committee tentatively agreed to consider the initial report of Georgia; the third reports of Cyprus, Denmark and Gabon; the fourth report of Germany; and an additional report on Hong Kong. India and Iceland will be on the reserve list. It also decided that the next reports of Zambia and Mauritius shall be due by 31 June 1998.

According to Committee Secretary Eric Tistounet, 17 reports remain to be considered by the Committee. There are 112 overdue reports, involving 89 States parties (out of 132 parties to the Covenant). Since the start of the current session, the Committee has received the second periodic report of Bolivia, and the third reports of Portugal and France.

Mr. Tistounet said that in addition to the 132 States parties to the Covenant, there were 87 States parties to the First Optional Protocol, which allows individuals to communicate complaints to the Committee, if their rights have been violated by a State party, and 29 States parties to the Second Optional Protocol, which aims at abolishing the death penalty.

Also this morning, the Committee approved paragraphs of a report of its working group on working methods. They concern follow-up activities to be taken by the Committee, a draft programme for the elaboration of general comments on articles of the Covenant, and matters relating to issuance of the Committee's concluding observations on a State party's report.

In other business, the Committee took note of recommendations of the sixth meeting of persons chairing human rights treaty bodies, held at Geneva in September 1995. The recommendations address measures to improve the operation of human rights treaty bodies; gender perspectives in the work of treaty bodies; prevention of human rights violations, including early warning and urgent procedures; and assistance to States in implementing concrete recommendations.

The Human Rights Committee will meet again at 3 p.m. today to approve its concluding observations on the reports of five States parties and to complete the work of its current session.

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