HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL ADVISORY COMMITTEE HOLDS SEVENTEENTH SESSION FROM 8 TO 12 AUGUST IN GENEVA

The seventeenth session of the Human Rights Council Advisory Committee will take place from 8 to 12 August 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 unaccompanied migrant children and adolescents (Human Rights Council resolution 29/12); the elimination of discrimination against persons with leprosy and their family members (Human Rights Council resolution 29/5); the impact of the flow of funds of illicit origin and the non-repatriation thereof to the countries of origin on the enjoyment of human rights (Human Rights Council resolution 31/22); and on activities of vulture funds and their impact on human rights (Human Rights Council resolution 27/30).

On Monday, 8 August at 11 a.m., the Advisory Committee will publicly open its session and adopt its agenda and programme of work. The Committee will then consider the progress report on the global issue of unaccompanied migrant children and adolescents and human rights (A/HRC/33/55) for the rest of the morning and part of the afternoon. The Committee will submit the progress report to the Human Rights Council at its the thirty-third session in September 2016.

Later on Monday afternoon, the Advisory Committee will consider the progress report on the elimination of discrimination against persons affected by leprosy and their family members.

On Tuesday, 9 August at 10 a.m., the Committee will hold a meeting with non-governmental organizations. At 11 a.m., it will continue consideration of the progress report on the elimination of discrimination against persons affected by leprosy and their family members.

On Tuesday afternoon, the Committee will hold discussions on the impact of the flow of funds of illicit origin and the non-repatriation thereof to the countries of origin on the enjoyment of human rights and establish a drafting group for the preparation of the progress report, to be submitted to the Human Rights Council at its thirty-sixth session.

On Wednesday, 10 August at 10 a.m., the Advisory Committee will discuss regional arrangements on human rights, and establish a second drafting group for the preparation of the report, to be submitted to the Human Rights Council at its thirty-ninth session.

On Wednesday afternoon, the Committee will consider the progress report on activities of vulture funds and their impact on human rights (A/HRC/33/56), also to be presented to the Council in September. It will thereafter start discussion on its methods of work in a closed meeting.

On Thursday, 11 August, the Advisory Committee, after holding a private meeting with the Human Rights Council’s Bureau and regional and political group coordinators, will meet in plenary at 11 a.m., to discuss reflection papers and research proposals on climate-induced displacement, destruction of cultural heritage and its effects on the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights, assessment of the impact of the work of the Advisory Committee and its implementation, and promotion of the rights to culture and social common heritage.

On Friday, 12 August, the Advisory Committee will take action on recommendations to the Human Rights Council before adopting its report and concluding its session.

Documentation relating to the seventeenth 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-Maria 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, 8 August

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

11 a.m. Opening of the session, adoption of the agenda and organization of work. Discussion on unaccompanied migrant children and adolescents.

3 p.m. Discussion on unaccompanied migrant children and adolescents (continued). Discussion on the elimination of discrimination against persons
with leprosy.

Tuesday, 9 August

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

11 a.m. Discussion on the elimination of discrimination against persons with leprosy (continued).

3 p.m. Discussion on the non-repatriation of illicit funds.

Wednesday, 10 August

10 a.m. Discussion on regional arrangements on human rights.

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

Thursday, 11 August

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

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

Friday, 12 August

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

AC16/003E