Human Rights Committee Opens One Hundred and Forty-Second Session in Geneva

The Human Rights Committee today opened its one hundred and forty-second session, during which it will examine the reports of Ecuador, France, Greece, Iceland, Pakistan and Türkiye on their implementation of the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

In opening remarks, Dimiter Chalev, Chief, Rule of Law, Equality and Non-Discrimination Branch, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, and Representative of the Secretary-General, said he was pleased that all the annual sessions of the treaty bodies could take place this year despite the current liquidity situation facing the United Nations, including the Committee’s one-week working group on communications. This session was taking place amidst escalating human rights concerns in the context of widening inequalities throughout the world, war on various continents, and an unprecedented electoral year in which nearly half of the world’s population was called upon to vote. The Committee’s work was essential in ensuring that the voices of the marginalised were heard, that violations were documented, and that States parties were reminded of their obligations under the Covenant.

With respect to developments specifically related to civil and political rights, several key reports were considered by the Human Rights Council during its most recent session that ended last Friday. The High Commissioner’s report on terrorism and human rights focused on the increased use of administrative measures in counter-terrorism, and drew from the Committee’s recommendations to many States. The Council was also presented with a study by the Office of the High Commissioner on the role of the rule of law and accountability, at the national and international levels, which emphasised the critical role of the rule of law and accountability in preventing human rights violations and abuses.

The High Commissioner also presented his report on racial justice and equality, in which he highlighted multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination experienced by Africans and people of African descent in various regions. The Expert Mechanism to advance racial justice and equality in law enforcement presented its report on justice, accountability and redress for human rights violations committed by law enforcement officials against Africans and people of African descent. It was noteworthy that these reports specifically referenced the work of the Committee, including its general comments and Views. As these reports demonstrated, the work of the Committee provided a vital legal and moral framework that empowered mechanisms to hold States accountable for violations of civil and political rights.

Mr. Chalev noted the increased collaboration between the Committee and the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, demonstrated by the participation of a Committee member in this year’s Expert Mechanism seventeenth annual session.

The first report of the Secretary-General on the human rights implications of digital technologies and artificial intelligence in the administration of justice related to the Committee’s mandate. The report had recently been issued and would be presented to the General Assembly at the current session. For example, one of the recommendations was that in their reports to treaty bodies, States could provide information on the design, use and deployment of digital technology and artificial intelligence in their justice systems. Such information would increase transparency and allow the Committee to provide oversight and guidance on the compatibility of such technology with the provisions of the Covenant. Almost one month ago, the General Assembly adopted the Pact for the Future, described as a “groundbreaking pact . . . to transform global governance.” While waiting to learn the precise implications of the Pact for the treaty bodies, the renewed commitment to human rights was welcomed.

This marked the last session of four members whose terms would end at the end of the year and their service was deeply appreciated. This session, the Committee would examine the implementation of the Covenant in six States parties, adopt one list of issues and six list of issues prior to reporting, and review several individual communications under the Optional Protocol. Mr. Chalev wished the Committee a successful and productive session.

The Committee adopted its agenda and programme of work for the session.

Tania Abo Rocholl, Committee Chairperson, thanked Mr. Chalev for the opening statement and said the issues he had raised were key to the Covenant and the Committee took them very seriously. The Committee wanted to thank the Office of the High Commissioner for the efforts made for the success of the Committee’s sessions. Last year had been one of great challenges for the Office, and it was hoped they could work hand in hand towards the common goal of better human rights across the world.

Wafaa Bassim, Committee Expert and Chair of the working group on communications, presented the working group’s report for the one hundred and forty-second session. The working group had considered 19 drafts relating to 297 communications, which was a record number of communications examined at one single session by any Committee. The Working Group also considered communications raising new and complex issues such as the jurisdiction in situations of sub-contracted immigration detention facilities in another State, the assessment of special penitentiary regimes imposed on specific groups of sentenced individuals, birth registration, and intra-family rape of girls, among others. The Committee also considered communications and covered issues relating to non-refoulement and deportation, freedom of religion, fair trial, and arbitrary detention, among others. The Working Group was putting for consideration of the plenary seven drafts of inadmissibility, one simplified draft with a finding of violation, and 11 drafts proposing a violation of the provisions in the Covenant.

The Human Rights Committee’s one hundred and forty-second session is being held from 14 October to 7 November 2024. 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 next meet in public at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, 15 October, to begin its consideration of the sixth periodic report of Iceland (CCPR/C/ISL/6).