Overview of the 131st Session
Published on 29 Mar 2021, 12:00 AM
Human Rights Committee | 131st Session
Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the 131st Session of the Human Rights Committee was held completely online. During this session, the newly elected members of the Committee completed their solemn declaration in accordance with Article 38 of the Covenant.
Furthermore, there was the election of the new Chair Person (Ms. Photini Pazartzis) and Vice-Chairs (Ms. Vasilka Sancin, Mr. Shuichi Furuya and Mr. Christopher Arif Bulkan).
Examination of two countries and adoption of List of Issues
The Human Rights Committee reviewed the reports of two State parties on the implementation of the ICCPR: Finland and Kenya.
The Committee also adopted the List of Issues Prior to Reporting in relation to Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Fiji, Grenada, Iceland, Malawi, Nepal, Sao Tome & Principe, Seychelles and the United Republic of Tanzania.
47 Decisions adopted under the Individual Communication Procedure
According to the Optional Protocol, the Committee adopted 47 decisions on individual communications. These included:
- 24 decision on the merits (so-called views)*;
- 7 cases were declared inadmissible; and
- 6 communications were discontinued.
*Regarding the cases decided on the merits, the Committee found violations in 20 of them and postponed to the next session the consideration of 3 communications.
Adoption of Report on follow-up to Concluding Observations
The following state parties has been considered under the follow-up procedure are Jamaica, San Marino, Slovakia and the Republic of Moldova. The Committee has also adopted progress reports on follow-up to concluding observations and on follow-up to views.
Desires to move back to in-person sessions
Duncan Muhumuza Laki, Rapporteur of the Committee, presenting the annual report of the Committee and listing the activities during the three sessions of the Committee, said the report once more stressed the need for additional staff and facilities for the effective performance of the Committee’s functions. It also made very clear its desire to move back to holding in-person sessions as soon as possible.
The Committee has adopted the annual report.
