COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RIGHTS OPENS FORTY-FIRST SESSION

The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights this morning opened its forty-first session, hearing an address from a Representative of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and adopting its agenda and programme of work.

During the session, which will conclude on 21 November, the Committee will examine measures taken by Nicaragua, Sweden, Kenya, the Philippines, and Angola to comply with the standards of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. Experts will also hear a presentation of a document by the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) on the situation in Kosovo. In addition the Committee will also consider relations with United Nations organs and other treaty bodies and will undertake a public consultation on a draft general comment on the right to non-discrimination.

In an opening statement, Paulo David, Coordinator, Unit IV, Treaties and Council Branch, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), briefed the Committee members on major developments since their last session. The most important developments included the Human Rights Council adoption of resolution 8/2 on 18 June 2008 of the draft Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. In September 2008 the High Commissioner organized a seminar with nine Latin American Countries participating that took place in Panama City. Specific discussion on the question of the right to health, through a better understanding of implementation and best practices was underscored. In addition, from 5 to 7 November 2008 at the Palais des Nations a seminar on the impact of anti-terrorist practices on economic, social and cultural rights took place, and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights co-organized with the Inter-Parliamentary Union a celebration of the sixtieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

A Committee Expert recommended that the Committee adopt a declaration on the financial crisis and several Committee Members supported this recommendation. In a previous session, the Committee adopted a declaration on the world food crisis. In addition Committee Experts stressed the need to revise reporting guidelines for the presentation of reports of States parties.


When the Committee next meets at 3 p.m. this afternoon, it will hear information from non governmental organizations with respect to reports that it will review during the current session.

Statement

PAULO DAVID, Coordinator, Unit IV, Treaties and Council Branch, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), briefed the Committee members on major developments since their last session. The most important developments noted included the Human Rights Council adoption of resolution 8/2 18 June 2008 on the Optional Protocol to the Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, to be transmitted to the General Assembly and, if adopted, might be opened for ratification this year providing the Committee with competence to consider individual complaints in this regard. He underscored that this process must be steadfast for complaints to be brought forth.

Among current developments, Mr. David noted that the High Commissioner attached great importance to the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. As a result the High Commissioner held a seminar which including nine Latin American Countries September 2008 that took place in Panama City. Specific discussion on the question of the right to health, through a better understanding of implementation and best practices was underscored. From 5 to 7 November 2008 at the Palais des Nations a seminar was also scheduled on the impact of anti-terrorist practices on economic, social and cultural rights. In addition the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights co-organized with the Inter-Parliamentary Union a celebration of the sixtieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

At the level of the Human Rights Council, the Universal Periodic Review mechanism this year initially reviewed a total of thirty-two countries with another eighteen scheduled for next month. Mr. David stressed that it was too early to assess this new international human rights mechanism, but it was evident so far that economic, social and cultural rights were systematically addressed in this high profile context.

The most important initiatives the Committee was faced with, noted Mr. David included the current draft of two General Comments, the organization of a General Day of Discussion on the principle of non-discrimination (article 2 (2) of the Covenant), and the participation of members in numerous side events, including on trade and economic, social and cultural rights. The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights commended the Committee’s unique contribution in the field of economic, social and cultural rights.


For use of the information media; not an official record

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