Ghana’s human rights record to be reviewed by UN Committee

GENEVA (20 June 2016) – Ghana’s human rights record will be reviewed by the UN Human Rights Committee for the first time on 24 June in Geneva. As one of the 168 States that have ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), Ghana is required to undergo review by the Committee on how it is implementing the Covenant.

The Committee, which is composed of 18 international independent members, will discuss a range of issues relating to the ICCPR with a delegation from the Government of Ghana. Members will also be briefed by NGO representatives. 

The Committee’s meetings with the delegation are public and will take place on 24 June from 10:00 – 13:00 and 15:00 – 18:00 (08:00 – 11:00 and 13:00 – 16:00 in Ghana). 

Ghana has submitted a report to the Committee on the implementation of its human rights obligations, and a number of non-governmental organisations have also sent reports for the Committee’s consideration. More information here: http://tbinternet.ohchr.org/_layouts/treatybodyexternal/SessionDetails1.aspx?SessionID=1031&Lang=en

The Committee will issue its findings on Ghana and the other countries being reviewed – Denmark, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Ecuador, Burkina Faso and Argentina on 17 July. The findings, officially known as concluding observations, will be published here:
http://tbinternet.ohchr.org/_layouts/treatybodyexternal/SessionDetails1.aspx?SessionID=1031&Lang=en

ENDS

For more information and media requests, please contact: Liz Throssell  +41 (0) 22 917 9466 / +41 79 752 0488 ethrossell@ohchr.org

Background

Human Rights Committee members are independent human rights experts drawn from around the world, who serve in their personal capacity and not as representatives of States parties. The Committee’s concluding observations are an independent assessment of States’ compliance with their human rights obligations under the treaty. More information:  http://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/CCPR/Pages/CCPRIndex.aspx

50 years of the International Bill of Human Rights
2016 marks the 50th anniversary of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR). These treaties, together with the Universal Declaration on Human Rights,  form the International Bill of Human Rights. A campaign by the UN Human Rights Office, entitled “Our Rights, Our Freedoms, Always”,  is running throughout the year to promote and raise awareness of the two treaties, focussing on the timeless themes of rights and freedoms, in particular freedom from fear, freedom of speech, freedom of worship and freedom from want. Check the campaign website at http://2covenants.ohchr.org

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