HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL ADVISORY COMMITTEE HOLDS SIXTEENTH SESSION FROM 22 TO 26 FEBRUARY IN GENEVA

The sixteenth session of the Human Rights Council Advisory Committee will take place from 22 to 26 February 2016 in Room XX at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.

During the session the Committee, will continue its discussions on thematic studies requested by the Council, including on activities of vulture funds and their impact on human rights (Human Rights Council resolution 27/30); unaccompanied migrant children and adolescents (Human Rights Council resolution 29/12); and the elimination of discrimination against persons with leprosy and their family members (Human Rights Council resolution 29/5).

On Monday, 22 February at 11 a.m., the Advisory Committee will publicly open its session, elect a Chair and its Bureau and adopt its agenda and programme of work. The Committee will then consider the draft progress report on activities of vulture funds and their impact on human rights (A/HRC/AC/16/CRP.1), for the rest of the morning and during the afternoon meeting. The Committee will submit the progress report to the Human Rights Council at its the thirty-third session in September 2016.

On Tuesday, 23 February at 10 a.m., the Committee will hold a meeting with non-governmental organizations. At 12 p.m., it will consider the draft progress report on the global issue of unaccompanied migrant children and adolescents and human rights (A/HRC/AC/16/CRP.3) with a view to submitting the report to the Human Rights Council at its thirty-third session.

On Wednesday, 24 February at 10 a.m., the Advisory Committee will consider the preliminary report on the implementation of the principles and guidelines for the elimination of discrimination against persons affected by leprosy and their family members (A/HRC/AC/16/CRP.2).

On Thursday, 25 February, after holding a private meeting with the Human Rights Council’s Bureau and regional coordinators from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., the Advisory Committee will consider a number of reflection papers and research proposals on regional human rights regimes (protection mechanisms); the non-material approach to social rights in the framework of sustainable development; youth and human rights: contribution to social cohesion; and engagement with non-governmental organizations and national human rights institutions.

On Friday, 26 February, the Advisory Committee will start its public meeting at 11 a.m. in which it will adopt its report for the session, including action taking by the Committee, then conclude the session in the afternoon.

Documentation relating to the sixteenth session, including the agenda and draft programme of work, can be found on the Advisory Committee’s webpage.

Background

The Advisory Committee is a body of 18 independent experts serving as a think-tank to the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC). It was established in 2008, pursuant to Human Rights Council resolution 5/1, to provide studies and research-based advice, as requested by the Council, and meets twice annually. The Committee’s work is implementation-oriented and follows thematic issues linked to the mandate of the Council, namely, the promotion and protection of all human rights. It interacts with States, national human rights institutions, non-governmental organizations and other civil society bodies.


Membership

The membership of the Advisory Committee conforms to the following geographical distribution guidelines set out in its establishing resolution: five members each from African and Asian States; three each from Latin American and Caribbean States, and Western European and other States; and two members from Eastern European States.

Following is the list of members of the Advisory Committee and expiration dates for their respective terms of office:

Ibrahim Abdul Aziz Alsheddi (Saudi Arabia, 2018); Mohamed Bennani (Morocco, 2017); Laurence Boisson de Chazournes (France, 2017); Mario Luis Coriolano (Argentina, 2018); Laura Craciunean (Romania, 2017); Hoda Elsadda (Egypt, 2016); Karla Hananía de Varela (El Salvador 2016); Mikhail Lebedev (Russian Federation, 2016); Alfred Ntunduguru Karokora (Uganda, 2016); Kaoru Obata (Japan, 2016); Obiora Chinedu Okafor (Nigeria, 2017); Katharina Pabel (Austria, 2018); Anantonia Reyes Prado (Guatemala, 2017); Changrok Soh (Republic of Korea, 2017); Ahmer Bilal Soofi (Pakistan, 2017); Imeru Tamrat Yigezu (Ethiopia, 2018); Yishan Zhang (China, 2016) and Jean Ziegler (Switzerland, 2016).


Programme of Work


Monday, 22 February

10 a.m. Expert member meeting (private).

11 a.m. Opening of the session, election of officers, adoption of the agenda and organization of
work. Discussion on activities of vulture funds and
the impact on human rights.

3 p.m. Discussion on activities of vulture funds and the impact on human rights (continued).

Tuesday, 23 February

10 a.m. Meeting with non-governmental organizations (Room XXII).

12 p.m. Discussion on unaccompanied migrant children and adolescents.

3 p.m. Discussion on unaccompanied migrant children and adolescents (continued).


Wednesday, 24 February

10 a.m. Discussion on the elimination of discrimination against persons with leprosy.

3 p.m. Discussion on the elimination of discrimination against persons with leprosy
(continued).

Thursday, 25 February

12 p.m. Discussion on reflection papers and research proposals.

3 p.m. Discussion on reflection papers and research proposals (continued).

Friday, 26 February

11 a.m. Action taking by the Advisory Committee and adoption of the report.

3 p.m. Action taking by the Advisory Committee and adoption of the report (continued).
Closing of the session.



For use of the information media; not an official record

AC16/001E