HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS CONDEMNS SUICIDE ATTACK

IN TEL AVIV AND CALLS FOR PEACE IN MIDDLE EAST

(Reissued as received.)

GENEVA, 1 May (UN Information Service) --- The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Sergio Vieira de Mello, is appalled by the latest suicide bombing in Tel Aviv, which resulted in three people being killed and some 50 wounded earlier today.

Background Release

COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RIGHTS TO HOLD

THIRTIETH SESSION FROM 5 TO 23 MAY 2003

Will Consider Reports of Luxembourg, Brazil, New Zealand, Iceland and Israel

(Reissued as received.)

COMMITTEE AGAINST TORTURE OPENS THIRTIETH SESSION

High Commissioner for Human Rights Cites Support For Anti-Torture Efforts

(Reissued as received.)

GENEVA, 28 April (UN Information Service) -- The Committee against Torture opened this morning its spring three-week session, hearing an address from the High Commissioner for Human Rights and adopting its agenda.  The session will run through 16 May.

WORKING GROUP ON ENFORCED OR INVOLUNTARY DISAPPEARANCES

CONCLUDES SIXTY-NINTH SESSION

(Reissued as received.)

GENEVA, 25 April (UN Information Service) -- The Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights concluded today a week-long session during which it examined allegations concerning over 30 countries.

Round-up

COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS CONCLUDES FIFTY-NINTH SESSION; CREATES EXPERT POST

FOR LIBERIA; REQUESTS EXPERT FOR AFGHANISTAN

Also Calls for Establishment of Human Rights Office

In Haiti; Ends Mandate of Special Rapporteur on Situation in Sudan

(Reissued as received.)

COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS ADOPTS RESOLUTION ON SITUATION IN IRAQ;

CONCLUDES SUBSTANTIVE WORK

Also Approves Measures on Right to Development, Rights of Child, Indigenous Issues

(Reissued as received.)

COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS APPROVES STATEMENTS ON HAITI, COLOMBIA;

RESOLUTIONS ON AFGHANISTAN, SOMALIA, CAMBODIA, SIERRA LEONE

Other Measures Adopted on Promotion and Protection

of Human Rights, Effective Functioning of Human Rights Mechanisms

(Reissued as received.)

UN SECRETARY-GENERAL SAYS IRAQ SHOULD NOT DISTRACT

COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS FROM OTHER VIOLATIONS

Commission Continues to Adopt Measures on Specific Groups

And Individuals, Civil and Political Rights, Indigenous Issues

(Reissued as received.)

COMMITTEE AGAINST TORTURE TO HOLD THIRTIETH SESSION

AT PALAIS WILSON FROM 28 APRIL TO 16 MAY 2003

Experts Scheduled to Consider Reports From Cambodia,

Azerbaijan, Iceland, Turkey, Slovenia, Belgium, and Republic of Moldova

(Reissued as received.)

COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS APPROVES MEASURES ONPROMOTION

AND PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS, OTHER ISSUES

Extends Mandate of Special Representative

Secretary-General on Human Rights Defenders