MR. JUSTICE PATRICK VELLA ELECTED TO THE UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE FOR A FOUR YEAR TERM 2001-2004

Mr. Justice Patrick Vella was elected to the United Nations Human Rights Committee for a four year term commencing on 1^st January, 2001.

The election was held on Thursday, 14 September, at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, for members of the Human Rights Committee from a list of seventeen candidates nominated by States Parties to replace the nine members, whose term is due to expire on 31^st December, 2000. The Committee is made up of eighteen members.

The newly elected members were the nominees from the United Kingdom, Canada, Egypt, Finland, Columbia, Australia, Mauritius, Malta and Benin. Those who did not obtain the necessary votes were the candidates from Mexico, Poland, Lebanon, Hungary, Costa Rica, Bolivia, Kuwait and Georgia.

Malta's candidate polled 79 votes out of a total of 137 eligible votes.

The Human Rights Committee comprises eminent nationals of States Parties to the Covenant with recognised competence in the field of human rights. The said Committee is empowered to consider reports on measures adopted and progress made in achieving the observance of the rights enshrined in the Covenant, as well as communications from individuals on alleged violations of human rights.