COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS ELECTS MICHAEL SMITH OF AUSTRALIA

AS CHAIRPERSON OF ITS SIXTIETH SESSION

Also Elects Other Members of Bureau for Session Which Starts on 15 March 2004

(Reissued as received.)

Committee on the Rights of the Child

BACKGROUND RELEASE

COMMITTEE ON RIGHTS OF CHILD TO HOLD THIRTY-FIFTH SESSION IN GENEVA

FROM 12 TO 30 JANUARY 2004

Reports from Indonesia, Guyana, Armenia, Germany,

Netherlands, India, Papua New Guinea, Slovenia, Japan to be Considered

(Reissued as received.)

INTERNATIONAL EXPERTS CONDEMN CURBS ON FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION,

CONTROL OVER MEDIA, JOURNALISTS

(Reissued as received.)

GENEVA, 19 December (UN Information Service) -- Three international experts on freedom of expression and the media have condemned limitations on freedom of expression and attempts to control the media through non-independent regulatory mechanisms.

RIGHTS EXPERT SAYS FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION LARGELY NEGLECTED

AT WORLD INFORMATION SUMMIT

The following statement was issued today by the Special Rapporteur on the Right to Freedom of Opinion and Expression of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights:

First Meeting of States Parties

to Convention on Migrant Workers

1^st Meeting (AM)

STATES PARTIES TO CONVENTION PROTECTING MIGRANT WORKERS

HOLD FIRST MEETING AT HEADQUARTERS

Elect 10-Member Main Committee

GLOBAL FORUM ADOPTS DECLARATION, ACTION PROGRAMME

ON INDIGENOUS PEOPLES AND INFORMATION SOCIETY

Documents to Be Submitted to World Summit on Information Society

(Received from a UN Information Officer.)

NEW CARTOON FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TO RAISE AWARENESS,

MOBILIZE ACTION TO TACKLE HIV/AIDS

(Reissued as received.)

UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS OFFICE APPEALS FOR $54.8 MILLION FOR 2004

(Reissued as received.)

GENEVA, 5 December (UN Information Service) -- The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) is seeking $54.8 million in contributions to fund activities in the coming year and to continue efforts to strengthen the institution.

HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE AND COMMITTEE AGAINST TORTURE RULE

ON COMPLAINTS OF VIOLATIONS FROM INDIVIDUALS

(Reissued as received.)

GENEVA, 5 December (UN Information Service) -- Two independent human rights bodies have found violations of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT).

UNIVERSALITY OF HUMAN RIGHTS REMAINS FORMAL RATHER THAN REAL,

HIGH COMMISSIONER SAYS IN COMMEMORATION MESSAGE

Ramcharan Cites Poverty, Conflicts, Terrorism,

Violence, Prejudice, Bad Governance as Gross Violations

(Reissued as received.)

Following is the message of acting High Commissioner for Human Rights Bertrand Ramcharan on Human Rights Day, which is commemorated on 10 December 2003: