SUBCOMMITTEE ON PREVENTION
First Meeting
Geneva
19-23 February 2007
PROVISIONAL AGENDA AND ANNOTATIONS
Note by the Secretary-General
1.The first meeting of the Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment will be held at the United Nations Office at Geneva from 19 to 23 February 2007. The first meeting of the session will be convened on Monday, 19 February 2007 at 10.00 a.m.
2. The attached provisional agenda and annotations for the first session of the Subcommittee have been prepared by the Secretary-General, taking into account the relevant provisions of the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.
3.Pursuant to article 10, paragraph 2(c) of the Optional Protocol, the meetings of the Subcommittee will be held in camera. Exceptionally, the opening of the meeting by the High Commissioner of Human Rights and solemn declarations of the members of the Subcommittee will be held in public.
GE.07-40464
PROVISIONAL AGENDA
1.Opening of the session by the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
2.Solemn declarations by the members of the Subcommittee.
3.Election of the Chairperson.
4.Adoption of the agenda.
5.Organizational and other matters.
6.Discussion on draft Rules of Procedure, in view of their adoption.
7.Election of the officers of the Subcommittee.
8.Co-operation with other international, regional and national bodies active in the Subcommittee’s area of concern.
9.Future work of the Subcommittee on Prevention.
ANNOTATIONS
1. Opening of the session by the High Commissioner for Human Rights
The first session of the Subcommittee will be opened by the High Commissioner for Human Rights or her representative.
2. Solemn declarations by the members of the Subcommittee
In accordance with articles 1, 2, paragraph 3, and 5, paragraph 6 of the Optional Protocol, the members of the Subcommittee shall make the following declaration:
“I solemnly declare that I will perform my duties and exercise my powers as a member of the Subcommittee on prevention independently, impartially and efficiently.”
3. Election of the Chairperson of the meeting
The Subcommittee on Prevention shall elect a Chairperson.
4. Adoption of the agenda
The Subcommittee may wish to consider and adopt the agenda for its first session on the basis of the provisional agenda drawn up by the Secretary-General.
5. Organizational and other matters
Under this item, the Subcommittee may wish to consider its programme of work for the session and any other matters concerning the modalities of discharging its functions under the Optional Protocol.
6. Discussion on the draft Rules of Procedure
In accordance with article 10 of the Optional Protocol, the Subcommittee shall establish its own Rules of Procedure. In this connection, the Subcommittee will have before it the draft Rules of procedure (CAT/OP/1/CRP. 1) which have been prepared by the Secretary-General, with a view to facilitating its task.
7. Election of the officers of the Subcommittee
In accordance with article 10, paragraph 1 of the Optional Protocol, the Subcommittee shall elect its officers for a term of two years.
8. Co-operation with other international, regional and national bodies active in the Subcommittee’s area of concern
In accordance with articles 11 and 31 of the Optional Protocol, the Subcommittee on Prevention may wish to discuss the modalities of its cooperation with the specialized agencies, organs of the United Nations, intergovernmental organisations and other concerned bodies on such matters dealt with in the Optional Protocol as fall within the scope of their activities.
9. Future work of the Subcommittee on Prevention
Article 10, paragraph 3, of the Optional Protocol provides that “the Subcommittee on Prevention shall meet at such times as shall be provided for by its rules of procedures. The Subcommittee and the Committee against Torture shall hold sessions simultaneously at least once a year”.
Under this item, the Subcommittee may wish to confirm the dates of its second and third session, in consultation with the Secretary-General, taking into account the calendar of conferences as approved by the General Assembly
In accordance with article 13 of the Optional Protocol, the Subcommittee on Prevention may wish to establish by lot a programme of visits to the States parties in order to fulfil its mandates.
In accordance with articles 11 and 31 of the Optional Protocol, the Subcommittee on Prevention may wish to discuss the modalities of its cooperation with the specialized agencies, organs of the United Nations, intergovernmental organisations and other concerned bodies on such matters dealt with in the Optional Protocol as fall within the scope of their activities.
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