Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

Half-day of General Discussion on "Discrimination and economic, social and cultural rights"

17 November 2008

Final deadline for contributions:

Comments and suggestions on the draft General Comment on non-discrimination will be accepted until 15 December 2008. Please note that late submissions cannot be taken into consideration.

Please e-mail your contribution to: CESCRdiscussionday@ohchr.org

Objectives

During its 41st session (3 – 21 November 2008) the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural rights will hold a half-Day of General Discussion (DGD) on discrimination and economic, social and cultural rights, in accordance with article 2 (2) of the Covenant.

The aim of the DGD is to foster a deeper understanding of the content and implications of article 2 (2) of the Covenant. The General Discussion will

• Explore the various obligations that article 2 (2) imposes on States parties;
• Analyse the prohibited grounds of non-discrimination; and,
• Reflect on possible means State parties can adopt at the national level for the implementation of article 2 (2).

Date and venue

The DGD will take place in Geneva, OHCHR, Palais Wilson, 52, rue des Pâquis, 1201 Genève, Ground Floor Conference Room, on Monday 17 November 2008 from 15.00 to 18.00.

Draft General Comment on non-discrimination

At its 35th session, the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights decided to begin the consideration of a draft General Comment on non-discrimination at its next session. The DGD will offer an opportunity to the Committee to review its draft General Comment on non-discrimination in the light of the comments and suggestions made by the experts.

Participation

The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights invites States parties, United Nations specialised agencies and bodies, United Nations human rights mechanisms, national human rights institutions, trade unions, employers’ organisations, non-governmental organisations, academic institutions and other interested organisations or individuals to participate in the DGD and also to provide comments and suggestions on its draft General Comment on non-discrimination.

Please fill out the below registration form and return it to the Secretariat of the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights by email: CESCRdiscussionday@ohchr.org, no later than by 10 November 2008.

Registration form

Draft General Comment No. 20 on non-discrimination (article 2 (2) )