Establishment
Pursuant to Human Rights Council resolution 5/1, the Human
Rights Council Advisory Committee (hereinafter “the Advisory Committee”),
composed of 18 experts, has been established to function as a think-tank
for the Council and work at its direction. The Advisory Committee replaces
the former Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights.
The aim of the nomination procedure of the Committee
members, including the technical and objective requirements contained in
Council decision 6/102, is to ensure that the best possible expertise is
made available to the Council. The function of the Advisory Committee is to
provide expertise in the manner and form requested by the Council, focusing
mainly on studies and research-based advice. Such expertise shall be
rendered only upon the latter’s request, in compliance with its resolutions
and under its guidance.
The Advisory Committee should be implementation-oriented.
The scope of its advice should be limited to thematic issues pertaining to
the mandate of the Council; namely promotion and protection of all human
rights. The Committee shall not adopt resolutions or decisions, but may
propose to the Council, within the scope of its work as set out by the
Council, suggestions for further enhancing its procedural efficiency, as
well as further research proposals within the scope of the work set out by
the Council.
In the performance of its mandate, the Advisory Committee
is urged to establish interaction with States, national human rights
institutions, non-governmental organizations and other civil society
entities in accordance with the modalities of the Council. Member States
and observers, including States that are not members of the Council, the
specialized agencies, other intergovernmental organizations and national
human rights institutions, as well as non-governmental organizations shall
be entitled to participate in the work of the Advisory Committee based on arrangements,
including Economic and Social Council resolution 1996/31 and practices
observed by the Commission on Human Rights and the Council, while ensuring
the most effective contribution of these entities.
The Advisory Committee shall convene up to two sessions
for a maximum of 10 working days per year. The inaugural session will be
held from 4 to 15 August 2008 at the Palais des Nations, United Nations
Office at Geneva.
Background information on the former
Sub-Commission:
The United Nations Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human
Rights, the main subsidiary body of the former Commission on Human Rights,
was established in 1947. Originally the 'Sub Commission on Prevention of
Discrimination and Protection of Minorities', it was renamed in 1999. In
2006, the membership consisted of 26 experts: seven from Africa, five from
Asia, five from Latin America, three from Eastern Europe and six from
Western European and other States.
The Sub-Commission's main functions were to undertake studies on human
rights issues, to make recommendations concerning the prevention of
discrimination of any kind and the protection of minorities. Studies
undertaken addressed various aspects of the realization of human rights,
the administration of justice, combating discrimination and protecting the
human rights of minorities, indigenous peoples and other vulnerable groups.
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