HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE HEARS FROM SECRETARY-GENERAL"S SPECIAL ADVISOR ON GENDER ISSUES AND ADVANCEMENT OF WOMEN

Press Release
HR/CT/560

HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE HEARS FROM SECRETARY-GENERAL’S SPECIAL ADVISOR ON GENDER ISSUES AND ADVANCEMENT OF WOMEN

As of today, 33 States had signed the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, which was opened for signature, ratification and accession on Human Rights Day, on 10 December 1999, Angela E.V. King, the Secretary-General’s Special Advisor on Gender Issues and the Advancement of Women, told the Human Rights Committee this morning. The instrument was adopted by the General Assembly last year on 6 October.

Ms. King said 10 ratifications were needed for the Optional Protocol’s entry into force, and she expected that to occur this year, as a number of the signatories had already started the parliamentary procedures required before ratification.

She said the Optional Protocol contained a communication and inquiry procedure and established a short-and long-term follow-up mechanism to the Committee’ views and recommendations on a case, which was now a standard feature in the practice of that body. Among the innovations offered were a requirement for States parties to ensure that individuals under their jurisdiction were not ill-treated or intimidated as a consequence of communicating with the Committee under its procedures and to make the Optional Protocol widely known. Article 17 also explicitly states that no reservation shall be permitted to the instrument.

She welcomed the adoption yesterday of the new general comment on article 3 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which required States parties to ensure the equal right of women and men to the enjoyment of all the rights set out in that particular instrument. General comments were now essential tools for States striving to implement the Covenant, and for human rights advocates to hold Governments accountable for their adherence to international legal obligations.

She said attention to the human rights of women and full enjoyment of those rights had grown remarkably in recent years. Growing attention was also given to situations that were specific to women, in particular violence against them. “Our work has to become increasingly sophisticated as we move into new areas, and as we try to find ways for translating into practice what we are clarifying conceptually”, she stressed. That practice would be strengthened by action, such as the new general comment on article 3.

Human Rights Committee - 2 - Press Release HR/CT/560 1832nd Meeting (AM) 28 March 2000

Following Ms. King’s statement, several experts welcomed the adoption of the Optional Protocol and hoped that more opportunities could be found for cooperation between them and the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women.

A concern expressed was that of discrimination against women in the workplace, particularly in the developing countries. One expert suggested that the existing mechanisms dealing with women’s rights have closer contact and exchange with the International Labour Organization (ILO). Also, ILO was encouraged to look further into discriminatory practices, in which women were not treated equally with men. Globalization was also cited as a process which did not take women’s rights into account.

Another expert noted that the adoption of the Optional Protocol was a major victory in the struggle for the equality of rights between men and women. Persons whose rights might be violated must have the opportunity to personally claim their violations. Now it was necessary for the public to become familiar with those possibilities. There were many, even in the legal community, who did not know about the First Optional Protocol under the Covenant. Another expert added that while the role of law was important, education of women and society as a whole was crucial to change mindsets and eliminate discrimination.

Other issues raised by experts included the vulnerable position of women in conflict, trafficking in women, maternity leave, the link between equality and development, and the general composition of treaty bodies.

Also this morning, Mr. Eckart Klein (Germany) introduced the report of the working group, which covered the following areas: plan of action; establishment of indicators; cooperation with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP); and joint meeting with special rapporteurs and informal consultation with governments. The plan of action addressed communications, State reports, role of periodicity and inter-committee meetings. Following the presentation, members engaged in an exchange of views.

The Committee will meet again at a date and time to be announced.

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