The Practice of the Covenant's Human Rights Committee, 1976-82: Review of State Party Reports

Abstract

The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights was adopted by the General Assembly on 16 December 1966 and opened three days later for signature by states.' About nine years later the last of the thirty-five ratifications or accessions necessary for the Covenant to enter into force was received by the United Nations secretary general in his role as depositary for the treaty, and the instrument entered into force on 23 March 1976.2 This date marked the formal beginning of procedures which would lead to the establishment of the Covenant's supervisory body. The first meeting of the parties to the Covenant was convened by the secretary general on 20 September 1976, when the eighteen persons who would comprise the Human Rights Committee were elected; the parties accepted the suggestion of the representative of the secretary general that the term of office of the members of the committee commence on 1 January 1977.3 The committee met in its first session in New York from 21 March to 1 April 1977.4 Enough data are now available for undertaking an initial assessment of a major aspect of the committee's practice.5