Ministers' Deputies
Notes on the Agenda

Notes(2000)95 4 February 2000

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699 Meeting, 16 February 2000
4 Human Rights

4.6 United Nations - Exchange of views (Questions relating to human rights) with the participation of experts from capitals (24 February 2000)

Reference documents

- CM/Del/Dec(2000)693/4.3
- CM/(2000)20 revised
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At the 693^rd meeting of the Ministers' Deputies, (12 January 2000, item 4.3), it was agreed to hold, in the morning (10.00 am - 1.00 pm) of Thursday 24 February 2000 in the Committee of Ministers’ Room, 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. General discussion on developments and main results of the 54th Session of the United Nations' General Assembly;

2. Specific thematic questions;

3. Specific national situations;

4. Co-operation 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 theme (CM(2000)20 rev.).

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, 20 March - 28 April 2000).

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 Secretariat suggests the following:

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

a) Standard-setting activities

- draft texts under negotiation;

- reservations;

- denunciations;

- functioning of treaty bodies.

b) Abolition of the death penalty

c) Specific national situations

d) Thematic rapporteurs

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