A/HRC/17/24
general discussion on the Right to sexual and reproductive health on 15 November 2010,
during which views were exchanged, and insights were gathered from practitioners and
experts on topic. Office-wide support was received for the initiative, to which experts from
the United Nations, civil society and academia were invited as panellists, and numerous
participants contributed to the discussions, presenting a broad range of views on the topic.
B.
Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
47.
As of February 2011, 98 States had ratified, and 147 States had signed the
Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CPRD), while its Optional Protocol
had 90 signatories and 60 ratifications. The rapidly growing number of ratifications
throughout 2010 triggered an expansion of the Committee, which held its second elections
in New York in September 2010, and increased its membership from 12 to 18 persons.
48.
The question of accessibility impacts many aspects of economic, social and cultural
rights. At its fourth session, the Committee held a day of general discussion on
Accessibility on 7 October 2010, to which States parties, intergovernmental organizations
(IGOs), NGOs, academics and individual experts contributed written submissions and
statements. The Committee subsequently established a Working Group which will draft a
general comment on Accessibility in due course.
C.
Committee against Torture
49.
In the context of considering State party reports, the Committee against Torture
continued to address the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights in relation to the
rights of detained persons, including women and children, as well as in relation to the rights
of minorities, indigenous people, migrant workers, non-citizens, asylum-seekers, victims of
trafficking, and other individuals or groups made vulnerable by discrimination or
marginalization and who are especially at risk of torture or ill–treatment. The Committee
reiterated that facilitating the exercise of these rights, and protection of these individuals or
populations are part of States parties’ obligations. The Committee also continued to express
concern that economic, social or cultural factors affect the right of victims of torture and
other forms of violence, including of women and girls, to lodge complaints and have their
cases examined promptly, thoroughly and impartially, as well as obtain redress and fair and
adequate compensation, including rehabilitation and social reintegration. The Committee
recalled that States parties should also adopt positive measures to ensure the protection of
these persons or groups.
IV.
Activities of special procedures
50.
In her annual report to the Human Rights Council, the Special Rapporteur on
adequate housing focused on the impact of mega-events by considering the positive and
negative legacy of mega sports events, such as Olympic and World Cup games, and the role
of the sponsors in the selection processes for host countries and cities. The Special
Rapporteur also submitted reports on missions to the Maldives and the United States, as
well as on the follow-up to recommendations from previous missions to Brazil, Cambodia
and Kenya. In 2010, the Special Rapporteur undertook two country visits to Croatia and
Kazakhstan, and visited the World Bank to discuss issues related to post-conflict and postdisaster housing reconstruction, housing policies, land titling and involuntary resettlements.
The Special Rapporteur’s report to the 65th session of the General Assembly in October
2010 was devoted to migration and the right to adequate housing. During the reporting
period, the Special Rapporteur also led a project on post-disaster and post-conflict
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