HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL ADVISORY COMMITTEE HOLDS ELEVENTH SESSION IN GENEVA FROM 12 TO 16 AUGUST 2013

The Human Rights Council Advisory Committee will hold its eleventh session from 12 to 16 August 2013 at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.

During the session, the Committee, a body of 18 independent experts serving as a think-tank to the United Nations Human Rights Council, will work on requests addressed to it by the Council, including the promotion and protection of human rights in post-disaster and post-conflict situations, enhancement of international cooperation in the field of human rights, and the negative impact of corruption on the enjoyment of human rights.

The Advisory Committee will also discuss its standing items concerning integration of a gender perspective, the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order, and the integration of the perspective of persons with disabilities; and will hear updates on new developments and follow-up to reports submitted to the Human Rights Council.

On Monday, 12 August, the Advisory Committee will publicly open its session at 11 a.m. with the adoption of its agenda and programme of work, followed by a discussion on human rights in post-disaster and post-conflict situations (Council resolution 22/16). This discussion will continue in the afternoon.

On Tuesday, 13 August, the Advisory Committee will discuss the enhancement of international cooperation (Council resolution 23/3) in the morning, and the negative impact of corruption on the enjoyment of human rights (Council resolution 23/9) in the afternoon.

It will discuss its standing items and follow-up to reports submitted to the Council, including on the right to peace, human rights of peasants, traditional values of humankind and terrorist hostage-taking, on Wednesday, 14 August, in the afternoon, and will take up, under the review of its methods of work, the issue of enhancing the procedural efficiency of the Committee on Thursday, 15 August in the morning. The Committee will discuss new priorities and research initiatives on Thursday afternoon.

On Friday, 16 August, the Advisory Committee will meet in private until 11 a.m., and will then proceed to adopt its report, including action taking by the Committee, before concluding its session.

Documentation relating to the eleventh 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 who support the work of the Human Rights Council. 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:

Mr. Saeed Mohamed Al Faihani (Bahrain – 2015); Mr. José Antonio Bengoa Cabello (Chile - 2013); Mr. Laurence Boisson de Chazournes (France – 2014); Chung Chinsung (Republic of Korea –a 2013); Mr. Mario L. Coriolano (Argentina . 2015); Mr. Wolfgang Stefan Heinz (Germany - 2013); Mr. Latif Hüseynov (Azerbaijan - 2014); Mr. Alfred Ntunduguru Karokora (Uganda – 2013); Mr. Vladimir Kartashkin (Russian Federation - 2013); Mr. Obiora Chinedu Okafor (Nigeria – 2014); Ms. Katharina Pabel (Austria – 2015); Ms. Coco Quisumbing (Philippines - 2014); Ms. Anantonia Reyes Prado (Guatemala – 2014); Mr. Shigeki Sakamoto (Japan - 2013); Mr. Dheerujlall Seetulsingh (Mauritius - 2014); Mr. Ahmer Bilal Soofi (Pakistan – 2014); Mr. Imeru Tamrat Yigezu (Ethiopia – 2015); and Ms. Mona Zulficar (Egypt - 2013).

Mr. Heinz is the Chairperson. Mr. Al Faihani, Mr. Huseynov and Ms. Reyes Prado are Vice-Chairpersons and Mr. Okafor is the Rapporteur.


Programme of Work

Monday, 12 August

10 a.m. Closed meeting

11 a.m. Opening of session, adoption of agenda, organizational
and other matters.

Requests to the Advisory Committee: discussion on human rights in post-disaster and post-conflict situations

3 p.m. Human rights in post-disaster and post-conflict situations (continued)


Tuesday, 13 August

10 a.m. Requests to the Advisory Committee: enhancement of international cooperation

3 p.m. Requests to the Advisory Committee: negative impact of corruption on the enjoyment of
human rights

Wednesday, 14 August

10 a.m. Closed meeting

3 p.m. Standing items and follow-up to reports submitted to the Council

Thursday, 15 August

10 a.m. Closed meeting

12 p.m. Enhancing the Advisory Committee’s procedural efficiency

3 p.m. New priorities and research initiatives


Friday, 16 August

10 a.m. Closed meeting

11 a.m. Adoption of the report of the Advisory Committee on its eleventh session, including
action taking by the Advisory Committee

3 p.m. Adoption of the report of the Advisory Committee on its eleventh session, including
action taking by the Advisory Committee (continued)



For use of the information media; not an official record

AC13/009E