A/HRC/38/25 37. Although few in number, the replies received provide a useful overview of the current practices of parliamentary human rights committees throughout the world. More specifically, the following paragraphs provide an overview of responses concerning parliamentary human rights committees, by region, depicting common elements and highlighting specific country examples. The examples chosen do not reflect the full range of activities performed by the committees mentioned, nor does their selection imply that other parliamentary human rights committees do not have similar practices. The examples are mostly included to reflect certain good practices. 38. Responses relating to countries from the Group of Western European and other States and the Eastern European Group indicate that, in some countries, parliamentary human rights committees have a relevant national role, being involved in the examination of bills for compatibility with human rights, or in conducting inquiries into human rightsrelated matters. In Australia, for example, the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights ensures the appropriate recognition of human rights issues in legislative and policy development. Engagement with the international human rights mechanisms and responses in that regard are managed by the executive. The mandate of the Joint Committee does not cover the domestic consideration, follow-up and oversight of the implementation of recommendations and views of United Nations human rights mechanisms. In Cyprus, the Committee on Human Rights and on Equal Opportunities for Men and Women exercises parliamentary control over the executive to ensure the full and correct implementation of national law regarding human rights, and examines draft laws. However, the Committee has no direct contact or exchange with the international human rights mechanisms. 39. The majority of the replies from the Group of Western European and other States and the Eastern European Group show the consistent involvement of parliamentary human rights committees in processes relating to the international human rights mechanisms. In Canada, the Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights may seek an order of reference from the Senate to study a particular human rights issue, and may also undertake studies of human rights matters under its general order of reference. The general order authorizes it to study issues relating to human rights and, inter alia, to review the machinery of Government dealing with the international and national human rights obligations of Canada. The Committee may also make recommendations to the Government regarding the issues, recommendations and questions that it believes the Government should raise during universal periodic review sessions. In the response to the questionnaire, it was stated that the Government normally responded to the Committee’s recommendations, but that they were not binding. Finally, the Committee may issue a report and make recommendations to the Government based on information received from the international human rights mechanisms. In Croatia, the Committee on Human and National Minority Rights follows up and addresses issues within the framework of the universal periodic review process, both in the report preparation phase and in the implementation of review recommendations. In Germany, the Committee on Human Rights and Humanitarian Aid of the Bundestag regularly informs the Federal Government of its position on matters discussed by the international human rights mechanisms, and asks it to communicate the Committee’s stance during those mechanisms’ discussions. It also regularly receives reports from the Federal Government and other bodies on the human rights situation in Germany, the European Union and individual countries around the world. In Georgia, the Human Rights and Civil Integration Committee examines the reports presented by the Government to the United Nations treaty bodies and the universal periodic review. The Government also submits a report on the implementation of review recommendations. The Committee follows up on the recommendations received by the State through legislative reforms or the passing of laws. The Committee also participates in the national mechanism for reporting and followup. Following the second universal periodic review of Italy, the Senate Special Committee on the Protection of Human Rights held several briefings with the Chair of the Interministerial Committee for Human Rights, who was part of the universal periodic review State delegation. The briefings focused on the stages of the review process and the substance of the recommendations received by Italy. The Committee also heard from civil society organizations that were involved in the review. The Committee on Human and Minority Rights and Gender Equality of the National Assembly of Serbia also organized a briefing on the review recommendations received by the State, as did the Committee on 8