Human Rights Committee Concludes One Hundred and Thirty-Eighth Session after Adopting Concluding Observations on Reports of Brazil, Burundi, Colombia, Cyprus, Lesotho, State of Palestine and Uganda

The Human Rights Committee today concluded its one hundred and thirty-eighth session after adopting concluding observations on the reports of Brazil, Burundi, Colombia, Cyprus, Lesotho, State of Palestine and Uganda.

Tania María Abdo Rocholl, Committee Chairperson, said constructive dialogues had been held with Brazil, Cyprus, Colombia, Lesotho, State of Palestine and Uganda. It was regretful that the delegation of Burundi chose not to participate in the dialogue, however, the Committee Experts had met their obligations in reviewing the application of the Covenant in the country. It was also regretful that Somalia had announced it would not be participating in the planned dialogue at the last minute, meaning the review needed to be postponed until the next session. Within those countries where constructive dialogue was held, the Committee had noted positive developments, identified concerns and made recommendations.

The Committee had also adopted two lists of issues on Honduras and Suriname, as well as two list of issues prior to reporting regarding Jamaica and Moldova. In addition, it had adopted decisions on individual communications. Of those, 27 were decided on the merits, 10 were declared inadmissible and 17 communications were discontinued. Regarding the cases decided on the merits, the Committee found violations in 19 of them. Further, the Committee had adopted four progress reports on follow-up to concluding observations and to views.

Ms. Abdo Rocholl also reported that work was already underway regarding the Committee’s one hundred and thirty-ninth session, scheduled to be held from 9 October to 3 November. During the session, the Committee will review the reports of Haiti, Iran, Kuwait, Republic of Korea, Trinidad and Tobago, United States and Venezuela, and adopt lists of issues in relation to Pakistan, San Marino and Slovakia. Further, the Committee will evaluate the reports of Belgium, Czechia, Mauritania and Norway under the follow-up procedure to concluding observations.

The Human Rights Committee’s one hundred and thirty-eighth session was held from 26 June to 26 July. All the documents relating to the Committee’s work, including reports submitted by States parties, can be found on the session’s webpage. Meeting summary releases can be found here. The webcast of the Committee’s public meetings can be accessed via the UN Web TV webpage.

The Committee will hold its one hundred and thirty-ninth session from 9 October to 3 November, during which it will review the periodic reports of Haiti, Iran, Kuwait, Republic of Korea, Trinidad and Tobago, United States and Venezuela.

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