Human Rights Council
Human Rights Council (2006- )
The Human Rights Council was established by General Assembly resolution 60/251 of 15 March 2006. The Human Rights Council is the successor of the Commission on Human Rights. The Council meets in regular session three times annually and in special session as needed, and reports to the General Assembly.
Human Rights Council resolution 5/1 of 18 June 2007, “Institution-building of the United Nations Human Rights Council,” sets out the main mechanisms and subsidiary bodies of the Council; General Assembly resolution 62/219 of 22 December 2007, inter alia, endorses the decision of the Human Rights Council to adopt resolution 5/1. The text of Human Rights Council resolution 5/1 is found in its report to the General Assembly for its 5th session (A/62/53).
?Working documents are issued under the series symbol A/HRC/-.
?Summary records of meetings are issued under the series symbol
A/HRC/[session]/SR.[meeting number].
?The sessional reports are published initially as A/HRC/- documents. An annual cumulation covering all sessions for a year is later issued as
Supplement 53 to the Official Records of the General Assembly (list of
symbols). The reports provide summaries of the work concluded and contain
the texts of resolutions and decisions adopted by the Council.
?Resolutions and decisions are not released as separate documents but may be retrieved as individual items through the Charter-based bodies
database.
?UN Headquarters press releases for the Council, issued under the series symbol HRC/-, are accessible through the search option at the Press
Releases website. Other press releases may be available through the UN
Office at Geneva News and Media site and the OHCHR Media Centre.
Human Rights Council Advisory Committee (2007- )
The Human Rights Council Advisory Committee was established by Human Rights Council resolution 5/1 of 18 June 2007. The Advisory Committee is composed of 18 experts serving in their personal capacity and functions as a think-tank for the Council. The Advisory Committee supercedes the Subcommission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights.
?Working documents are issued under the series symbol A/HRC/AC/[session]/-.
?The sessional reports carry a double symbol A/HRC/- and A/HRC/AC- (list of symbols). The reports contain the texts of recommendations and provide
brief summaries of the meetings.
?Press releases from the UN Office at Geneva News and Media site provide summaries of the statements made in meetings of the Advisory Committee.
The OHCHR Media Centre also issues press releases related to the work
of the Advisory Committee.
Commission on Human Rights (1946-2006)
The Commission on Human Rights was established by Economic and Social Council resolution 5 (I) of 16 February 1946. The Commission met in annual and, when required, special sessions and reported to the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). The Commission on Human Rights concluded its 62nd and final session on 27 March 2006; its work is continued by the Human Rights Council.
?Working documents were issued under the series symbol E/CN.4/-.
?Summary records of meetings were issued under the series symbol
E/CN.4/[year]/SR.[meeting number].
?The sessional reports carried a double symbol (series E/- and E/CN.4/-) and were published as Supplements to the Official Records of the Economic and Social
Council (list of symbols). They provide summaries of the work concluded and
contain the texts of resolutions and decisions adopted by the Commission.
?Resolutions and decisions were not released as separate documents in paper format but some may be retrieved as individual items through the Charter-based bodies
database.
?UN Headquarters press releases for the Commission, issued under the series symbol HR/CN/-, are accessible through the search option at the Press Releases website.
Other press releases may be available through the UN Office at Geneva News and
Media site and the OHCHR Media Centre.
Subcommission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights (1947-2006)
The Subcommission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights was established by the Commission on Human Rights under the authority of Economic and Social Council resolution 9 (II) of 21 June 1946. The name was changed from Subcommission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities by ECOSOC decision 1999/256 of 27 July 1999. The work of the Subcommission is continued by the Human Rights Council Advisory Committee.
?The Subcommission met in annual sessions from 1947-2006 (list of symbols). Prior to 19 June 2006, the Subcommission reported to the Commission on Human Rights;
its final report was submitted to the Human Rights Council.
?Working documents were issued under the series symbol E/CN.4/Sub.2/-. The working documents of the final session were issued under the series symbol A/HRC/Sub.1/-.
?Summary records were issued under the series symbol
E/CN.4/Sub.2/[year]/SR.[meeting number]. The summary records of the meetings
of the final session were issued under the series symbol
A/HRC/Sub.1/[session]/SR.[meeting number].
?The sessional reports carried a double symbol: series E/CN.4/- and E/CN.4/Sub.2/- (list of symbols). They provide summaries of the work concluded and contain the
text of resolutions and decisions adopted by the Subcommission.
?Resolutions and decisions were not released as separate documents in paper format but some may be retrieved as individual items through the Charter-based bodies
database.
?UN Headquarters press releases for the Subcommission, issued under the series symbol HR/CN/-, are accessible through the search option at the Press Releases
website. Other press releases may be available through the UN Office at Geneva
News and Media site and the OHCHR Media Centre.
?Many reports were presented to the Subcommission by special procedures, such as working groups and special rapporteurs.
Human Rights Committee
The Human Rights Committee was established pursuant to Article 28 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The Committee meets in three sessions each year in New York and Geneva.
?Working documents are issued under the series symbol CCPR/C/-.
?Summary records of meetings are issued under the series symbol CCPR/C/SR.[meeting number].
?The sessional reports are issued as Supplement No. 40 to the Official Records of the General Assembly (list of symbols).
?From 1977-1987, the Committee published a Yearbook; from 1987-1993, this publication was continued by the Official Records of the Human Rights Committee
(list of symbols).
?UN Headquarters press releases for the Committee, issued under the series symbol HR/CT/-, are accessible through the search option at the Press Releases website.
Other press releases may be available through the UN Office at Geneva News and
Media site and the OHCHR Media Centre.
?Article 40 of the Covenant requires States parties to submit an initial report within one year of the Covenant’s entry into force for the State party concerned
and then upon the Committee’s request.
?The Committee also considers communications under the Optional Protocol received from individuals who assert that their rights have been violated without domestic
redress. The texts of the Committee's final decisions under the Protocol are
included in its annual reports, as well as periodically cumulated on a selective
basis (list of symbols).
Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights was established by Economic and Social Council resolution 1985/17of 28 May 1985, to supervise the implementation of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and functions like a treaty body. The Committee meets in two sessions each year in Geneva.
?Working documents are issued under the series symbol E/C.12/-.
?Summary records of meetings are issued under the series symbol
E/C.12/[year]/SR.[meeting number].
?The sessional reports carry a double symbol (E/- and E/C.12/-) and are issued as Supplements to the Official Records of the Economic and Social Council (list
of symbols).
?UN Headquarters press releases for the Committee, issued under the series symbol HR/-, are accessible through the search option at the Press Releases website.
Other press releases may be available through the UN Office at Geneva News and
Media site and the OHCHR Media Centre.
?Economic and Social Council resolution 1988/4 of 24 May 1988, requires States parties to submit an initial report within two years of its entry into force
for the State party concerned and then every five years.
Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
The Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination was established pursuant to Article 8 of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. The Committee meets in two sessions each year in Geneva.
?Working documents are issued under the series symbol CERD/C/-.
?Summary records of meetings are issued under the series symbol CERD/C/SR.[meeting number].
?The sessional reports are issued as Supplement No. 18 to the Official Records of the General Assembly (list of symbols).
?UN Headquarters press releases for the Committee, issued under the series symbol RD/-, are accessible through the search option at the at the Press Releases
website. Other press releases may be available through the UN Office at Geneva
News and Media site and the OHCHR Media Centre.
?Article 9 requires States parties to submit an initial report within one year after its entry into force for the State party concerned and then every two years.
Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women
The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women was established pursuant to Article 17 of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. The Committee meets in two sessions each year. Beginning in 2008, meetings are held in Geneva; previously all meetings were held in New York.
?Working documents are issued under the series symbol CEDAW/C/-.
?Summary records of meetings are issued under the series symbol CEDAW/C/SR.[meeting number].
?The sessional reports are issued as Supplement No. 38 to the Official Records of
the General Assembly (list of symbols). The reports were also issued cumulatively
in the series The Work of CEDAW (list of symbols).
?Press releases, issued under the series symbol WOM/-, are accessible through the search option at the at the Press Releases website. Other press releases may
be available through the UN Office at Geneva News and Media site and the OHCHR
Media Centre.
?Article 18 requires States parties to submit an initial report within one year after its entry into force for the State Party concerned and then every four
years.
Committee against Torture
The Committee against Torture was established pursuant to Article 17 of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. The Committee meets in two sessions each year in Geneva.
?Working documents are issued under the series symbol CAT/C/-.
?Summary records of meetings are issued under the series symbol CAT/C/SR.[meeting number].
?The sessional reports are issued as Supplement No. 44 to the Official Records of the General Assembly (list of symbols).
?UN Headquarters press releases for the Committee, issued under the series symbol HR/-, are accessible through the search option at the Press Releases website.
Other press releases may be available through the UN Office at Geneva News and
Media site and the OHCHR Media Centre.
?Article 19 requires States parties to submit an initial report within one year after its entry into force for the State Party concerned and then every four
years.
Committee on the Rights of the Child
The Committee on the Rights of the Child was established pursuant to Article 43 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The Committee meets in three sessions each year in Geneva.
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?Working documents are issued under the series symbol CRC/C/-.
?Summary records of meetings are issued under the series symbol CRC/C/SR.[meeting number].
?Sessional reports of the Committee are issued as Supplement No. 41 to the Official Records of the General Assembly (list of symbols).
?UN Headquarters press releases for the Committee, issued under the series symbol HR/-, are accessible through the search option at the Press Releases website.
Other press releases may be available through the UN Office at Geneva News and
Media site and the OHCHR Media Centre.
?Article 44 requires States parties to submit an initial report within two years of its entry into force for the State Party concerned and then every five years.
Committee on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families
The Committee on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Worker and Members of Their Families was established pursuant to Article 72 of the Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families. The Committee meets in one session each year in Geneva.
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?Working documents are issued under the series symbol CMW/C/-.
?Summary records of meetings are issued under the series symbol CMW/C/SR.[meeting number].
?The sessional reports are issued as Supplement No. 48 to the Official Records of the General Assembly (list of symbols).
?UN Headquarters press releases for the Committee, issued under the series symbol HR/-, are accessible through the search option at the at the Press Releases
website. Other press releases may be available through the UN Office at Geneva
News and Media site and the OHCHR Media Centre.
?Article 73 requires States parties to submit an initial report within one year of its entry into force for the State Party concerned and then every five years.
Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
The Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities was established pursuant to Article 34 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The Committee meets in two sessions each year in Geneva.
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?Working documents are issued under the series symbol CRPD/C/-.
?Summary records of meetings are issued under the series symbol CRPD/C/SR.[meeting number].
?The first session of the Committee was held in February 2009. As of June 2009, the sessional report has not been issued, and the pattern of documentation is
not yet established.
?UN Headquarters press releases for the Committee, issued under the series symbol HR/-, are accessible through the search option at the at the Press Releases
website. Other press releases may be available through the UN Office at Geneva
News and Media site and the OHCHR Media Centre.
?Article 35 requires States parties to submit an initial report within two years
of its entry into force for the State Party concerned and then every four years.