Background

Lists of issues are adopted by the Committee for States that have submitted their first report to the Committee.

Lists of issues in the absence of a report are adopted by the Committee for States that have not submitted their report for five years or more, despite various reminders.

In both cases, the lists of issues underline the issues that will guide the interactive dialogue of the State party with the Committee at one of the next sessions.

At the phase of adoption of lists of issues, civil society actors and National Human Rights Institutions are invited to contribute through written submissions (there is no space for oral briefings).

The objective of these submissions is to bring to the attention of the Committee positive experiences, concerns and challenges related to enforced disappearances and related issues (see information on the format and deadlines below).

Upon adoption, the lists of issues are made public and are transmitted to the State party concerned, that must reply in writing within a deadline determined by the Plenary of the Committee.

Key questions and types of input/comments sought

• Comments on the first report of the State party to the Committee and suggestions of related questions that should be addressed by the Committee
• Other issues of concern related to the Convention, both in terms of the eradication and prevention of enforced disappearances (even if not referred to in the report of the State party)

Documents of reference:

Initial report – Samoa

How inputs will be used

All inputs will be transmitted to Committee experts. When submitting your contribution, please specify if you wish it to be made public or not. Public submissions will be uploaded on the Committee’s webpage in their original language only. The others will remain confidential.