Opening of the 69th Session of the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
On Monday 15th February the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR) opened its 69th session. Due to the ongoing effects of the pandemic, the session will be the second to be conducted entirely online.
The Opening began with an introduction by Mr Renato Zerbini Ribeiro Leão, the Chair of the Committee, who noted his pleasure at the Committee’s capacity to continue operating in these challenging times.
Peggy Hicks (Director of the Thematic Engagement, Special Procedures and Right to Development Division at the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)), then delivered remarks on the relationship between the work of the OHCHR and that of the CESCR. A summary of these remarks may be found here.
Three NGO representatives were also invited to make a statement by the CESCR:
Ms Claudia Lazzaro, representative of Sindicato Obreros Curtidores de la República Argentina (FATICA) (the Tanning Workers Union of the Argentine Republic) and Mujeres Sindicalistas Corriente Federal de Trabajadores (Women Trade Unionists Federal Chapter of Workers, CGT)). Ms Lazzaro spoke about women’s ESC rights and care in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Her full statement may be accessed here (in Spanish).
Mr Timothy Fish Hodgson, Legal Advisor, Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, International Commission of Jurists (Africa). Mr Hodgson spoke about the right to health and the right to science in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. His full statement may be accessed here (in English).
Mr Thomas Bagshaw, Fellow with the Global Initiative for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. Mr Bagshaw spoke about effects of the pandemic on ESC rights, the Committee’s transition to online work, and GI-ESCRs new resources on the Committee’s work. His statement may be accessed here (in English).
A recording of the Opening may be accessed on UNTV.
This session will be the first in which the Committee will conduct State reviews online. For further information on the Committee’s planned work, see GI-ESCRs update on the 69th session.