HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE BEGINS ADOPTION OF ANNUAL REPORT

MORNING
HR/CT/99/26
29 July 1999



The Human Rights Committee this morning adopted chapters of its annual report concerning organization of work, calendar of meetings, presentation of States reports and consideration of States reports by the Committee.

The report covers work accomplished by the Committee's 18 expert members during sessions held in October 1998, March-April 1999 and July 1999.

In the document, the Committee notes that the number of States parties to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights had increased to 145 as of 30 July 1999.

The report also indicates that two-third of States parties to the Covenant had not submitted their reports in due time, and that 37 of those States were five or more years overdue in submitting reports.

When the Committee reconvenes at 3 p.m., it will continue consideration of its annual report.