HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE ADOPTS ISSUES TO BE TAKEN UP WHEN CONSIDERING COMPLIANCE REPORTS OF KYRGYZSTAN, AUSTRALIA, KUWAIT AND IRELAND

Press Release
HR/CT/562

HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE ADOPTS ISSUES TO BE TAKEN UP WHEN CONSIDERING COMPLIANCE REPORTS OF KYRGYZSTAN, AUSTRALIA, KUWAIT AND IRELAND

The Human Rights Committee this morning adopted the list of issues to be taken up when Kyrgyzstan, Australia, Kuwait and Ireland present their periodic reports on compliance with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights at the Committee’s sixty-ninth session to be held in Geneva from 10 to 28 July.

The issues addressing the third and fourth periodic reports of Australia were adopted without any changes. The second report of Ireland, the initial report of Kuwait and the initial report of Kyrgyzstan were all adopted as orally amended this morning.

Among the issues raised in connection with Australia’s report were: the status of Covenant Rights and implementation of views under the Optional Protocol to the Covenant; the rights of all peoples to self-determination and the rights of persons belonging to minorities; discrimination and equality before the law –- fair trial and the rights of children; the right to life and prevention of torture and degrading treatment; liberty and security of person –- treatment of prisoners and detainees and the rights of aliens; freedom of religion and prohibition of discrimination; and the dissemination of information about the Covenant.

The First Optional Protocol provides for the confidential consideration of communications from individuals who claim to be victims of a violation of any of the rights proclaimed in the Covenant. No communications can be received by the Committee if it concerns a State party to the Covenant that is not also a party to the Optional Protocol.

The issues raised in connection with Ireland’s report were: the constitutional and legal framework within which the Covenant and the Optional Protocol were implemented; derogation in states of emergency; the right to life, liberty and security of person; the treatment of detainees and the right to a fair trial; gender equality and protection from domestic violence; protection of children and privacy; freedom of expression, thought, conscience and religion; the rights of minorities; and dissemination of information about the Covenant.

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* The 1834th and 1835th meetings were closed.

Human Rights Committee - 2 - Press Release HR/CT/562 1836th Meeting (AM) 30 March 2000

Among the issues raised with regard to Kuwait’s report were: the constitutional and legal framework within which the Covenant and the Optional Protocol were implemented; gender equality and nationality of children; the principle of non-discrimination and protection of minorities; the right to life and the prevention of torture and degrading treatment; liberty and security of person and the treatment of prisoners; freedom of religion, expression and association; and dissemination of information about the Covenant.

The issues raised in connection with Kyrgyzstan’s report included: the constitutional and legal framework within which the Covenant and the Optional Protocol were implemented; state of emergency; gender equality; the right to life; prevention of torture and degrading treatment, liberty and security of person; freedom of movement; the right to a fair trial; freedom of expression, assembly and participation in public affairs; participation in the conduct of public affairs; the protection of children; equality before the law and the rights of people belonging to minorities; and dissemination of information relating to the Covenant.

The Committee will meet again at 3 p.m. today to consider its draft general comment on article 4 of the Covenant, which pertains to the scope of limitations on human rights during a state of emergency or martial law.

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