Treaty Bodies Latest Documents

ISHR report on first reading of the HRC's draft general comment no. 34 on freedom of expression

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 15:07:51 +0200

On 23 and 27 October 2009 the Human Rights Committee (the ‘Committee’) held its first reading of the Draft General Comment No. 34 (the ‘Draft Comment’) on Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (the ‘Covenant’). Article 19 safeguards the rights to freedom of opinion and expression from any interference. The Draft Comment was authored and presented by Committee member Mr Michael O’Flaherty. During the two-day meeting, Committee members discussed the first nine paragraphs of the 56-paragraph draft. Of these nine paragraphs, the first eight provisions cover general remarks (derogabilility and reservations, relationship with other human rights, States’ obligations to respect freedoms of opinion and expression, obligation on incorporation into domestic law), and one provision addresses substantive issues related to the freedom of opinion.

The current interpretation of Article 19 was adopted by the Committee in its General Comment No. 101 in 1983. The Draft Comment proposes to replace the current ‘skimpy’2 Comment No. 10. However, in light of the absence of agreement between Committee members, it was provisionally decided to leave discussion on the relationship of General Comment No. 10 with the new General Comment No 34 for further consideration, and come back to the question at the end of the Committee’s first reading of the Draft Comment.

Report on the examination of Colombia by the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

Tue, 12 Jan 2010 15:46:27 +0200

The following overview addresses seven of the Committee’s concluding observations following the examination on the basis of those themes that the Committee requested follow-up on implementation within one year or to include detailed information on concrete measures taken in the State’s next periodic report. Each issue is assessed according to how it was addressed in the examination, including the initial views of the State, questions and comments by the Committee, and responses provided.

The Colombian delegation provided detailed responses to most of the questions raised in the list of issues and posed by Committee members during the dialogue. In cases, where no reply could be given, the delegation pledged that information would be provided in writing later. The Ambassador stated that the questions are not regarded as criticism and that the Committee’s recommendations assist the Government to move forward in the protection of human rights. He underscored that the Government is committed to guarantee protection from racial discrimination and to erase inequalities. The Committee welcomed the Government’s recognition of the existence of racial discrimination and its engagement with the international community and civil society. It took note of difficulties related to the armed conflict. Several Committee members stated that the main challenge for Colombia in combating racial discrimination is not the lack of legislation, but the actual implementation of existing laws. Overall, the Committee welcomed the report as a good and detailed. Some experts however criticised the length of the report and the lack of information on implementation as well as the delay in its submission.

Report on the examination of Azerbaijan by the Committee against Torture

Tue, 05 Jan 2010 10:54:09 +0200

The following overview addresses five of the Committee’s concluding observations following the examination on the basis of those themes that the Committee dedicated most time to, whether it requested specific follow-up on implementation, and whether the final recommendation was specific and implementable within a certain timeframe. Each issue is assessed according to how it was addressed in the examination, including the initial views of the State, questions, comments and responses provided.

Azerbaijan engaged in an open discussion with the Committee. However, most of the Committee members found the level of detail of information provided by the State to be insufficient. Despite the openness of the delegation, as it was pointed out by the Chairperson, Mr Grossman, and its readiness for the dialogue, not all concerns expressed by the Committee were supported and shared by the delegation. For instance, the delegation did not fully share the Committee’s concern over the insufficiency of basic legal safeguards against torture and the absence of a definition of torture in domestic law. At the same time, the majority of Committee members highlighted as a positive aspect the efforts made by the Government to implement the Committee’s previous recommendations. Notably, during the oral replies of the delegation to questions of Committee members substantial time was devoted to updating the Committee on individual instances of violations of the Convention.

ISHR report on the examination of Switzerland by the Human Rights Committee

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 17:15:33 +0200

ISHR report on the examination of Spain by CAT

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 13:32:20 +0200

The following overview addresses the Committee’s concluding observations following the examination on the basis of those themes that the Committee dedicated most time to, whether they requested follow-up on implementation, and whether the final recommendation was specific and implementable within a certain timeframe. Each is assessed according to how they were addressed in the examination, including the initial views of the State, questions, comments and responses provided.

The delegation gave detailed replies on all of the issues raised by the Committee. On both days of the examination the delegation was granted an extra hour to elaborate their answers to the Committee’s questions. Despite the efforts of the delegation, by the end of the second day the Committee’s chairperson and country rapporteur, Mr Claudio Grossman, urged Spain to clarify information on the duration of incommunicado detention, the use of electronic ‘Taser’ weapons, the return of Senegalese detainees and cases of gender-related violence in prisons.

Examination of Azerbaijan by CERD, 75th session

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 16:47:18 +0200

ISHR report on examination of Russian Federation by the Human Rights Committee

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 09:33:49 +0200

Members of the Committee addressed the delegation with more than 170 questions, which required additional time for answers, and the examination was extended for an additional three hours. The dialogue between members of the delegation and the Committee was reasonably comprehensive and covered a variety of issues, including counter-terrorism measures, a moratorium on executions, torture, ill-treatment, enforced disappearance, arbitrary arrest issues, threats and violence against journalists and human rights defenders, non-refoulement, and discimination on the basis of sexual orientation.

ISHR report on the examination of Yemen by the Committee against Torture

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 10:05:53 +0200

Human Rights Committee discussion on draft revised guidelines for State reporting

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 15:06:49 +0200

ISHR report: CEDAW review of Switzerland, 44th session

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 15:33:13 +0200

ISHR report: CEDAW review of Lao PDR, 44th session

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 14:24:52 +0200

ISHR report of CERD's examination of China

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 14:28:46 +0200

ISHR'S report on review of Guinea-Bissau by CEDAW's 44th session

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 14:29:45 +0200

ISHR'S report on review of Japan by CEDAW's 44th session

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 14:57:24 +0200

ISHR report on the examination of the Netherlands by the Human Rights Committee

Thu, 03 Sep 2009 16:55:55 +0200

ISHR's report on examination of Azerbaijan by CEDAW's 44th session

Thu, 03 Sep 2009 15:52:23 +0200

ISHR report on examination of Liberia by CEDAW's 44th session

Thu, 03 Sep 2009 14:53:45 +0200

Human Rights Committee meeting with State parties

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 15:33:04 +0200

ISHR report on the examination of Azerbaijan by the Human Rights Committee

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 15:47:09 +0200

Thefollowing overview addresses four of the Committee'sconcluding observations following the examination on the basis of those themesthat the Committee requested follow-up on implementation within one year. Each is assessed according to how they were addressed in the examination,including the initial views of the State, questions and comments by theCommittee, and responses provided.

The delegation interacted in a cooperativemanner with the Committee and almost all members took the floor. However, therewas significant overlap among the responses provided by different members of thedelegation, and repetition of information. It seemed that many responses werenot to the satisfaction of Committee members. Several responses were alsorelatively lengthy, while not adding anything substantively new to the dialogue.Despite the comparatively low quality of the dialogue, it was necessary to holdan unanticipated third session during the afternoon of 21 July. At all timesthe delegation emphasised its willingness to engage in dialogue. However, onequestion, that of Ms Wedgwood concerning the ethnic composition of thedelegation, encountered a direct refusal to answer, with Mr Khalafov claimingthat there are no different ethnicities in Azerbaijan.

CEDAW 44th session - working methods report

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 15:27:35 +0200

ISHR report on the Human Rights Committee's examination of Tanzania

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 13:14:49 +0200

ISHR report on the examination of Israel by the Committee against torture

Fri, 14 Aug 2009 11:01:47 +0200

ISHR's report on CESCR's examination of the United Kingdom

Tue, 28 Jul 2009 13:23:14 +0200

ISHR's report on CESCR's examination of Australia

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 15:08:56 +0200

ISHR's report on CAT's examination of Chad

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 15:08:09 +0200

ISHR report on CESCR's review of Brazil

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 12:05:34 +0200

ISHR report on CAT's examination of Chile

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 06:51:23 +0200

ISHR report on CERD's examination of Turkey (Feb 09)

Fri, 01 May 2009 14:05:01 +0200

ISHR report on annual meeting of CAT with States Parties

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 15:44:37 +0200

ISHR report on the Human Rights Committee's discussions on methods of work, March 2009

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 14:07:29 +0200

ISHR report on examination of Armenia: CEDAW January 09

Tue, 21 Apr 2009 07:25:03 +0200

ISHR's report on examination of Sweden: HRC March 09

Mon, 20 Apr 2009 18:50:32 +0200

ISHR's report on examination of Sweden: HRC March 09

ISHR's report on examination of Rwanda: HRC March 09

Mon, 20 Apr 2009 18:49:43 +0200

ISHR's report on examination of Rwanda: HRC March 09

ISHR's report on examination of Australia: HRC March 09

Mon, 20 Apr 2009 18:45:16 +0200

ISHR's report on Australia: Human Rights Committee March 09

Simple Guide to the Treaty Bodies (in Azeri, April 2009)

Mon, 20 Apr 2009 09:16:47 +0200

Review of Pakistan by CERD at its 74th session

Thu, 16 Apr 2009 11:46:57 +0200

Review of Croatia by CERD at its 74th session

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 14:53:09 +0200

Simple Guide to the Treaty Bodies (updated April 2009)

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 11:03:28 +0200

Review of Germany by CEDAW at its 43rd session

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 08:29:48 +0200

Review of Rwanda by CEDAW at its 43rd session

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 10:29:19 +0200

ISHR report on CERD's agreement to draft General Recommendation on 'special measures'

Tue, 24 Feb 2009 16:49:01 +0200

Review of Libya by CEDAW at its 43rd session

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 16:11:47 +0200

Review of Dominica at the 43rd session of CEDAW

Thu, 29 Jan 2009 17:13:07 +0200

Review of China by CAT at its 41st session

Fri, 16 Jan 2009 10:46:03 +0200

Review of New Zealand by CERD at its 71st session

Wed, 14 Jan 2009 11:27:10 +0200

Review of Angola by CESCR at its 41st session

Tue, 13 Jan 2009 11:44:02 +0200

Review of Uruguay by CEDAW at its 42nd session

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 18:48:49 +0200

Review of UNMIK by CESCR at its 41st session

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 11:39:14 +0200

Review of Kazakhstan by CAT at its 41st session

Fri, 02 Jan 2009 13:39:04 +0200

Review of Bahrain by CEDAW at its 42nd session

Fri, 19 Dec 2008 09:51:12 +0200

Review of Sweden by CESCR at its 41st session

Fri, 19 Dec 2008 09:46:14 +0200

Review of Denmark by the Human Rights Committee at its 94th session

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 16:22:05 +0200

Elections to the Committee on the Rights of the Child, 16 December 2008

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 11:20:19 +0200

Review of Myanmar by CEDAW at its 42nd session

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 15:00:33 +0200

Report on examination of Belgium by CAT

Tue, 16 Dec 2008 14:34:51 +0200

Review of Spain by Human Rights Committee at its 94th session

Mon, 15 Dec 2008 10:49:35 +0200

Review of Portugal by CEDAW at its 42nd session

Fri, 12 Dec 2008 11:37:55 +0200

Review of Nicaragua by CESCR, 41st session

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 15:14:02 +0200

Review of Kyrgyzstan by CEDAW, 42nd session

Tue, 09 Dec 2008 18:12:26 +0200

Review of Ecuador by CEDAW at its 42nd session

Fri, 05 Dec 2008 09:06:54 +0200

Report on examination of Serbia by CAT at its 41st session

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 14:47:28 +0200

Report on examination of Kenya by CAT

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 11:19:33 +0200

Report on examination of Philippines by CESCR

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 11:18:03 +0200

Report on examination of Kenya by CESCR

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 11:02:55 +0200

Examination of Philippines by CESCR

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 13:17:47 +0200

Report on examination of Japan by the Human Rights Committee

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 13:15:52 +0200

Examination of Nicaragua State report at 94th Human Rights Committee session

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 10:36:24 +0200

Report on the examination of France at HRC 93rd session

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 14:47:24 +0200

Report on the examination of Macedonia at CAT 40th session

Wed, 15 Oct 2008 11:02:24 +0200

Overview of the 72nd session of CERD

Wed, 15 Oct 2008 10:52:43 +0200

Report on the examination of Namibia at CERD 73rd session

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 15:47:20 +0200

Report on the examination of Austria at CERD 73rd session

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 15:43:48 +0200

Report on the examination of Sweden at CERD 73rd session

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 15:39:58 +0200

Examination of Ireland State report at HRC 93rd session

Tue, 23 Sep 2008 14:48:54 +0200

Examination of India State report at CESCR 40th session

Tue, 23 Sep 2008 14:37:20 +0200

Examination of France State report at CESCR 40th session

Tue, 23 Sep 2008 14:32:03 +0200

Examination of Ukraine State report at CESCR 39th session

Tue, 23 Sep 2008 14:31:18 +0200

Examination of San Marino State report at CESCR 39th session

Tue, 23 Sep 2008 14:30:45 +0200

Examination of Paraguay State report at CESCR 39th session

Tue, 23 Sep 2008 14:30:08 +0200

Examination of Belgium State report at CESCR 39th session

Tue, 23 Sep 2008 14:29:28 +0200

Examination of Costa Rica State report at CESCR 39th session

Tue, 23 Sep 2008 14:28:37 +0200

Examination of Togo State report at CERD 73rd session

Mon, 22 Sep 2008 10:12:31 +0200

CERD 73rd session, examination of Germany's state report

Mon, 15 Sep 2008 16:09:04 +0200

HRC 93rd session, report of the rapporteur on individual communications

Mon, 15 Sep 2008 14:34:33 +0200

73rd session CERD, opening session

Mon, 15 Sep 2008 13:54:39 +0200

Presentation by the Committee Rapporteur on Follow Up, Human Rights Committee 93rd session

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 16:32:11 +0200

CESCR examination of Chad, 43rd session

Mon, 01 Sep 2008 15:00:00 +0200

Algeria reviewed by CAT, 40th session

Thu, 15 May 2008 07:34:43 +0200