COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RIGHTS CONCLUDES SIXTY-SECOND SESSION

The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights closed its sixty-second session this morning after adopting its concluding observations and recommendations on the reports of Colombia, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova and the Russian Federation, as well as the annual report.

The Committee’s concluding observations and recommendations on the reports considered during the session will be available on the webpage of the session on Monday, 9 October 2017 by 6 p.m.

In her closing remarks, Maria Virginia Bras Gomes, Committee Chairperson, said that it had once again been a very busy session with reviews of States parties, consideration of communications, and a number of informal meetings with key stakeholders, including civil society. The Committee had conducted dialogues with representatives of four States parties, namely Colombia, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, and the Russian Federation. The consideration of the report of Mexico had been postponed due to the devastating earthquake and it would be considered at a subsequent session. As for its work under the Optional Protocol, the Committee had examined one communication, declaring it inadmissible. The communication would be made public after the notification of the parties. Regarding the work on thematic issues, the Committee had pursued work on General Comments, including one on the right to science, and another related to land and economic, social and cultural rights. The Committee had also discussed its working methods, including preparation of the lists of issues.

The Committee had held an informal meeting with States to inform delegations about its ongoing work and to hear comments and respond to queries. It had also had an opportunity to meet with Catalina Devandas, Special Rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities, and with the Working Group on Business and Human Rights. Ms. Bras Gomes explained that it was very interesting to hear about the work of the Special Rapporteur since her mandate touched upon issues that the Committee consistently addressed in its work. It had also been interesting to learn about the work of the Working Group on Business and Human Rights and discuss the use and dissemination of the Committee’s General Comment No. 24 on States’ obligations in the context of business activities. Finally, the Committee had had an exchange with the Committee on the Rights of the Child on strategic litigation.

The sixty-third session of the Committee will be held in Geneva from 12 to 23 March 2018, during which the Committee will consider the reports of Bangladesh, Central African Republic, New Zealand, Niger and Spain.



For use of the information media; not an official record

ESC/17/26E