Covenant Committee Functions and Procedures

The right of a people to freely decide their own political status and pursue their economic, social, and cultural development.

The ability of a people to use their natural resources for their own benefit, without being deprived of their means of subsistence.

States are obligated to promote and respect the right to self-determination, in line with the UN Charter.

The document that sets out the basic principles of the United Nations, including respect for human rights.

The idea that all individuals have an inherent worth and equal rights, regardless of their background.

The belief that freedom from fear and want is essential for individuals to fully enjoy their rights.

Recognizing that individuals have responsibilities to others and their community, and should strive to uphold the rights in the covenant.

A treaty that sets out human rights and fundamental freedoms that all nations should uphold.

No one should be tortured, subjected to cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment, or punished. This prevents any form of cruel treatment.

No one should be held in slavery or servitude. This covers all forms of slavery and forced labor.

Forced labor is forbidden, except for specific legal cases like court-ordered hard labor as punishment for a crime.

Article 8 of the ICCPR makes exceptions for military service, national service for conscientious objectors, emergency situations, and normal civil obligations.

Everyone has the right to liberty and security of person, and no one should be arbitrarily arrested or detained. This is protected by Article 9 of the ICCPR.

When someone is arrested, they must be informed of the reasons and any charges against them.

An arrested person must be brought promptly before a judge and have a trial within a reasonable time, or be released. Detaining people awaiting trial should be an exception, not the rule.

This article protects the right to liberty and security of person and ensures that arrests and detentions are not arbitrary.

A minimum number of States Parties needed for a meeting to officially start. At least two-thirds of the States Parties must be present.

Candidates who get the most votes and more than half of the votes cast by the attending States Parties.

The principle that no more than one person representing the same country can be on the Committee at a time.

The Committee's composition should reflect fair representation of different regions, cultures, and legal systems.

Committee members serve for four years, with the possibility of being re-elected.

At the first election, nine members are chosen for a shorter term of two years to ensure a staggered system of renewals.

If a committee member is unable to fulfill their duties, their seat becomes vacant and a replacement is elected.

The process of filling a vacant seat on the Committee involves nominations from States Parties and a vote.

The Secretary-General of the UN can share reports with specialized agencies relevant to their areas of expertise, after consulting with the Human Rights Committee.

The Human Rights Committee reviews state reports on how they uphold the ICCPR, writes its own reports, and makes recommendations to states.

States parties to the ICCPR can submit comments to the Human Rights Committee on any observations the Committee might have made about their reports.

Any state party to the ICCPR can declare that they recognize the Committee's authority to handle complaints about another state's non-compliance with the treaty.

If a state party believes another state party isn't upholding the ICCPR, it can formally notify that state. This is the first step in resolving a dispute.

If a member of the human rights committee leaves their position, a new member is elected to replace them.

The elected replacement for a vacancy serves for the rest of the term of the member that left.

The UN General Assembly approves how the UN pays committee members.

UN supplies staff and resources to help the committee with its work.

The committee meets at the UN headquarters or a specific office in Geneva.

Before starting their work, committee members swear to be impartial and conscientious.

The committee sets its own rules, but these rules require at least 12 members to be present for a vote and decisions are based on majority vote.

Countries that signed the covenant are required to report on their progress in protecting human rights, including any challenges they face.

The Commission is tasked with fully investigating human rights violations and providing a report to the States Parties concerned.

If the Commission cannot finish its review within twelve months, they will submit a report briefly outlining the current status of the investigation.

If a friendly resolution respecting human rights is achieved, the Commission will simply report the facts and the solution reached.

If a resolution respecting human rights is not reached, the Commission will present its findings on the facts, potential solutions, and written/oral submissions from the States Parties involved.

After receiving the Commission's Report, the States involved have three months to decide if they accept its contents.

The Commission's members, including any conciliation commissions appointed under Article 42, receive UN privileges and immunities, like those given to experts on missions for the United Nations.

The States involved share equally all the expenses of the Commission members based on estimates provided by the UN Secretary-General.

The UN Secretary-General can pay the Commission members' expenses ahead of time if necessary, but then the States involved will reimburse those expenses.