MEMBERS OF HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE EXPRESS CONCERN AT CONSISTENT USE OF ONLY ONE OFFICIAL UNITED NATIONS LANGUAGE IN WORKING GROUP AND BUREAU MEETINGS
Press Release
HR/CT/538
MEMBERS OF HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE EXPRESS CONCERN AT CONSISTENT USE OF ONLY ONE OFFICIAL UNITED NATIONS LANGUAGE IN WORKING GROUP AND BUREAU MEETINGS
19990407 Committee Continues Consideration of Revised Draft General Comment on Article 3 of International Covenant on Civil and Political RightsMembers of the Human Rights Committee expressed serious concern this afternoon that some of them were being de facto marginalized due to the consistent use of only one official United Nations language in meetings of the Committee's working group and the Bureau.
It was noted that such meetings were often held in the language of the chairperson, which put members who did not speak that official language at a disadvantage. Moreover, those who could speak that language, in addition to their own, could still miss nuances, especially those of a technical nature. The situation was having a negative impact on the Committee's work -- nearly a third of the members could not participate actively because there were no translations of documents into other official languages. It was recommended that in the future, strict respect should be accorded to the other official languages of the United Nations during Committee meetings.
Also this afternoon, the Committee continued consideration of a revised draft general comment on article 3 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which replaces general comment 4 (1981). The revised draft 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 the 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.
As the Committee continued its review of the draft general comment, it considered and recommended specific actions and amendments for paragraphs 2 to 11.
The Committee may meet again tomorrow to continue its consideration of the draft general comment. * *** *