HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE APPROVES QUESTIONS ON COVENANT COMPLIANCE FOR COLOMBIA, LEBANON, PORTUGAL

24 March 1997

Press Release
HR/CT/478

HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE APPROVES QUESTIONS ON COVENANT COMPLIANCE FOR COLOMBIA, LEBANON, PORTUGAL

19970324 Also Reviews Individual Claims in Closed Session; Will Begin Consideration of Bolivia's Second Periodic Report Tuesday

The Human Rights Committee approved questions it will present to the delegations of Colombia, Lebanon and Portugal (with respect to the territory of Macau), when those countries report to the Committee on compliance with the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

The Committee then went into closed session to review confidential communications received from individuals who claim to be victims of a violation of their rights under the Covenant. Under the Optional Protocol to the Covenant, such communications are considered in closed meetings.

During its current session, which began this morning and is to conclude on 11 April, the Committee will review reports submitted by Bolivia, Colombia, Georgia, Lebanon and Portugal. At its meeting this morning, it approved the list of questions on the reports of Boliva and Georgia. (For additional background, see Press Release HR/CT/476 of 21 March.)

The five countries presenting reports during the current session are among the 136 States parties to the Covenant. The Committee, as a monitoring body, periodically examines reports submitted by States parties on their promotion and protection of civil and political rights. Representatives of those governments will introduce their country reports and respond to oral and written questions from the Committee's 18 members, who serve in their personal capacity.

The Human Rights Committee will meet again at 10 a.m. tomorrow, 25 March, to begin its consideration of the second periodic report of Bolivia.

* *** *