Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights

Clare Doube

The former Chair of CHRI's Executive Committee has been appointed Chair of the 56th Sub-commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights. Mr Soli Sorabjee has twice been Attorney-General and once Solicitor-General of India and is recognised as a foremost constitutional lawyer.

The Sub-Commission was set up by the UN Commission for Human Rights to undertake studies and make recommendations to the Commission about the prevention of discrimination relating to human rights and fundamental freedoms and the protection of racial, national, religious and linguistic minorities. It is composed of international 26 experts acting in their personal capacity, elected by the Commission, each serving for a term of four years.

The Sub-Commission holds an annual three-week long session in Geneva. This meeting is also attended by observers from states, UN bodies and specialised agencies, intergovernmental organisations and non-governmental organisations in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council.

Studies prepared by members for consideration by the Sub-Commission include issues such as human rights and transnational corporations; the human rights aspects of population transfer; traditional practices affecting the health of women and children; and racial discrimination.

For more information about the Sub-Commission, please visit: http://www.ohchr.org/english/bodies/subcom/56th/56sub.htm

July 29th 2004