HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE CONTINUES REVIEW OF REVISED DRAFT GENERAL COMMENT ON ARTICLE 3 OF INTERNATIONAL COVENANT ON CIVIL AND POLITICAL RIGHTS
Press Release
HR/CT/532
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE CONTINUES REVIEW OF REVISED DRAFT GENERAL COMMENT ON ARTICLE 3 OF INTERNATIONAL COVENANT ON CIVIL AND POLITICAL RIGHTS
19990330 The Human Rights Committee this afternoon continued its review of a revised draft general comment on article 3 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. It finished its consideration of paragraphs 11 and 12 and agreed to amendments proposed by its members.During this morning's session, the Committee had considered paragraphs 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 of the draft general comment, and had also agreed to a series of amendments based on suggestions and verbal consensus among members on interpretations of article 3.
The revised draft general comment on article 3 of the Covenant -- which replaces General Comment 4 (1981) -- aims to contribute to efforts by the United Nations to integrate the human rights of women throughout the Organization's system, as reflected in the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action.
The Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, adopted by consensus at the World Conference on Human Rights in Vienna, 1993, marked historic new steps to promote and protect human rights. Among other things, it urged the universal ratification of human rights treaties, including setting the target date of the year 2000 for the ratification of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. The Declaration also supported the establishment of a special rapporteur on violence against women.
The Committee may meet again tomorrow to continue its review of the revised draft general comment on article 3.
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