APPOINTMENT OF SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR FOR INDIGENOUS PEOPLE ‘A WATERSHED’,

SAYS HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSIONER ROBINSON

The following is the text of today’s statement by the High Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson to mark the International Day of the World’s Indigenous People:

HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS TO ADDRESS GLOBAL AUDIENCE OVER INTERNET

IN LEAD-UP TO WORLD CONFERENCE AGAINST RACISM

GENEVA, 8 August (UN Information Service) -- The World Conference against Racism will top the agenda on 9 August as people from around the globe get a chance to talk directly to United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson via the Internet.

SUBCOMMISSION ON PROMOTION AND PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS

OPENS FIFTY-THIRD SESSION

Hears Address by High Commissioner

for Human Rights; David Weissbrodt Elected Chairman

(Reissued as received.)

COMMITTEE ON ELIMINATION OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION OPENS FIFTY-NINTH SESSION

(Reissued as received.)

GENEVA, 30 July (UN Information Service) -- The Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination this morning started its summer session by adopting its agenda and programme of work.

Most of the Committee's morning session was devoted to discussion on a study written by a Canadian academician on the functioning of United Nations treaty bodies.

HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE CONCLUDES SEVENTY-SECOND SESSION

Issues Final Conclusions and Recommendations on Reportsof Netherlands,

Czech Republic, Monaco, Guatemala and Democratic People’s Republic of Korea

(Reissued as received.)

Background Release

SUBCOMMISSION ON PROMOTION AND PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS

TO MEET IN GENEVA, 30 JULY - 17 AUGUST

(Reissued as received.)

GENEVA, 27 July (UN Information Service) -- The Subcommission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights, the Commission on Human Rights’ principal subsidiary organ, will hold its fifty-third session at the Palais des Nations in Geneva from 30 July to 17 August.

COMMITTEE ON ELIMINATION OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION TO MEET

AT PALAIS WILSON FROM 30 JULY TO 17 AUGUST

Committee to Consider Reports of Italy, China,

Trinidad and Tobago, Cyprus, United States, Sri Lanka, Viet Nam, Ukraine, Egypt

(Reissued as received.)

STATEMENT BY REGISTRAR OF INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL TRIBUNAL FOR RWANDA ON NON-RENEWAL

OF EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS OF CERTAIN DEFENCE INVESTIGATORS

(Reissued as received.)

High-Level Panel Calls for Universal Ratification of Treaties

Advancing Rights of Women

“Advancing the Rights of Women and Children through Treaties” was the theme of a high-level panel discussion convened at United Nations Headquarters yesterday.  The event aimed to promote signature or ratification of international treaties that are of particular relevance to the advancement of women's rights.

Background Release

HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE TO HOLD SEVENTY-SECOND SESSION

AT GENEVA FROM 9 TO 27 JULY

Experts to Examine Reports of Netherlands, Czech Republic,

Monaco, Guatemala and Democratic People’s Republic of Korea

(Reissued as received.)