The Human Rights Committee this morning opened its one hundred and thirty-eighth session in Geneva, during which it will examine the reports of Brazil, Burundi, Colombia, Cyprus, Lesotho, the State of Palestine and Uganda, on their implementation of the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The Committee adopted its agenda and programme of work for the session.
Tania María Abdo Rocholl, Chair of the Committee, in opening remarks, declared the one hundred and thirty-eighth session of the Human Rights Committee open, welcoming Simon Walker to deliver a statement to the group.
Simon Walker Chief, Rule of Law and Democracy Section, Thematic Engagement, Special Procedures, and Right to Development Division, and Representative of the Secretary-General, underscored the importance of the treaty body system and how his Section provided legal guidance. Views and concluding observations of the Human Rights Committee were significant in this respect, as the work of the Rule of Law and Democracy Section spanned areas including transitional justice, safety of journalists and the administration of justice, which all related to the Covenant. E-justice in the criminal system and drug policy and human rights were of particular concern currently. Though digital technology expedited some processes in the administration of justice, it also could exacerbate injustice, by denying due process rights, failing to spot signs of torture, and affecting the right to life in death penalty cases.
