Human Rights Committee finishes 'most productive' session, chairman says

By dealing with two dozen communications on human rights and three reports of States during a three-week period, the United Nations Human Rights Committee has completed its most fruitful session yet, its Chairman said today.

Prafullachandra Bhagwati of India said the just-concluded session - the expert panel's 74th - marked the first time it that had disposed of so many communications, making it the most productive in history. Only five communications, of the original 29, awaited consideration during the July session.

The 18-member expert panel monitors compliance by States with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and reviews individual communications submitted under its First Optional Protocol.

During this session, the Committee considered the reports of Hungary, Sweden and Georgia, with each government sending a delegation to answer the panel's questions relating to States' obligations as parties to the Covenant.

The Committee is slated to meet again from 8 to 26 July in Geneva to consider the reports of New Zealand, Yemen, Republic of Moldova, Gambia and Viet Nam.

Adopted in 1966, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights affirms that all peoples have the right to self-determination as well as the right to life, liberty and security of person. It prohibits torture, cruel or degrading treatment or punishment, and the arbitrary deprivation of life. The Covenant also provides, among other protections, for freedom of movement, freedom of thought, conscience and religion, and freedom of expression.

The treaty's 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.