28 January 1999

No. 99/63

ml

CM/Del/Dec(99)655/4.2

CM(99)27

At the 655^th meeting of the Ministers' Deputies, (12-13 January 1999, item 4.2), it was agreed to hold, in the morning (10.00 am - 1.00 pm) of Thursday 25 February 1999, an exchange of views on the United Nations (Human Rights questions), with the participation of experts from the capitals.

The following agenda has been agreed for this exchange of views:

1. Developments and main results of the 53^rd Session of the United Nations' General Assembly;

2. Specific national situations;

3. Results of the 50^th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the review of the follow-up to the Declaration and Programme of Action of the World Conference on Human Rights (Vienna, 1993);

4. Cooperation between the Council of Europe and the United Nations in the human rights field.

Delegations wishing to submit observations on the themes proposed or to make further suggestions to the Chair are invited to do so as soon as possible. The Secretariat has prepared a note containing some observations on the above-mentioned themes (document CM(99)27).

It is further recalled that the designated experts will have an opportunity, in the afternoon, to hold an informal meeting to prepare the next session of the United Nations Human Rights Commission (Geneva, 22 March - 30 April 1999).

This meeting is scheduled at 3.00 pm in Room 8 of the Palais de l’Europe. Among the themes which could be discussed at this informal meeting, the following are suggested:

Preparation of the next session of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights. In particular:

a) Standard-setting activities

- draft texts under negotiation;

- reservations;

- denunciation;

- functioning of treaty bodies;

b) Specific national situations;

c) Right to development;

d) Thematic rapporteurs;

e) Follow-up to the discussion at the morning's meeting.