Report to the Un Committee on Human Rights Concerning the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights

Periodic Report to the United Nations Committee on Human Rights Concerning the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights in 2011

United States views on international law (based on the document “Digest of U.S. Practice in International Law”): On December 30, 2011, the United States submitted the Fourth Periodic Report of the United States of America to the United Nations Committee on Human Rights Concerning the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (“ICCPR” or “Covenant”), available at (internet link) state.gov/j/drl/rls/179781.htm#iii. As explained in the introduction to the Fourth Periodic Report, the United States followed the guidelines of the Human Rights Committee in terms of the form and content of the report, which supplements information provided in the U.S. Initial Report of 1994 and information provided in the U.S. combined Second and Third Periodic Report of 2005. See Cumulative World Encyclopedia of Law 1991-1999 at 873-78 and World Encyclopedia of Law 2005 at 258-300 for background on previous U.S. periodic reports.

Paragraph 4 in the introduction to the report explained that the report reflects U.S. consideration of the views of the Committee and civil society:

Developments

In this report, the United States has considered carefully the views expressed by the Committee in its prior written communications and public sessions with the United States. In the spirit of cooperation, the United States has provided as much information as possible on a number of issues raised by the committee and/or civil society, whether or not they bear directly on formal obligations arising under the Covenant. During preparation of this report, the U.S. Government has consulted with representatives of civil society and has sought information and input from their organizations. Civil society representatives have raised a variety of concerns on many of the topics addressed in this report, a number of which are noted in the text of the report. The United States Government has also reached out to state, local, tribal, and territorial governments to seek information from their human rights entities on their programs and activities, which play an important part in implementing the Covenant and other human rights treaties. Information received from this outreach is referenced in some portions of the report and described in greater detail in Annex A to the Common Core Document.

Details

The report is comprehensive and covers a wide range of subjects, including law and practice in the United States to protect freedoms of speech, religion, association, peaceful assembly, non-discrimination, and privacy. It also addresses liberty of movement, due process and fair judicial procedures, and equality under the law. The report also covers the rights to be free from arbitrary arrest or detention, torture, cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment, and slavery or involuntary servitude. Other subjects addressed by the report include expulsion of aliens and protection of children.

Resources

See Also

• International Human Rights
• Political Rights