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# UN Human Rights Committee
- URL: https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/un-human-rights-committee/
- Published: 2005-10-28T12:10:38.000Z
- Updated: 2019-02-14T22:34:22.000Z
- Author: openDemocracy Supporters
- Tags: #en, #Migrated, #Import 2026-04-09 18:15

Thanks to Tim Symonds at [Shevolution](http://www.shevolution.com/?ref=opendemocracy.net) for sending this suggestion regarding the UN Human Rights Committee:  
  
Take a look at the list of Human Rights Committee members and you’ll quickly note that only 3 (France, USA and Sweden) are women, out of the 18 members, i.e. 16%. There will be a meeting of State parties in New York in 2006 to replace 9 of the current members whose 4-year terms expire December 31 2006 (though members can be re-elected if nominated). Britain’s representative Sir Nigel Rodley is Professor of Law and Chair, Human Rights Centre, University of Essex. His term on the Committee is completed at the end of 2008\. The American member Ruth Wedgwood ends her term December 31 2006.  
  
May I suggest as many people as possible lobby for a rapid increase in numbers of women on this committee, if possible following the formula 40% men, 40% women, the rest either. Ie. It should be made plain to nominating countries that special attention to appointing a suitable woman would achieve a better Gender balance on the committee and have a positive effect on its determinations.  
  
  
Human Rights Committee - Members  
The [Human Rights Committee](http://www.ohchr.org/english/bodies/hrc/members.htm?ref=opendemocracy.net) is composed of 18 independent experts who are persons of ‘high moral character and recognized competence’ in the field of human rights.  
  
The current membership of the Human Rights Committee is:  
  
Name / Nationality / Term expires   
Ms. Christine CHANET (Chairperson), France, 31.12.2006  
Mr. Nisuke ANDO, Japan, 31.12.2006  
Mr. Prafullachandra Natwarlal BHAGWATI, India, 31.12.2006  
Mr. Alfredo CASTILLERO HOYOS, Panama, 31.12.2006  
Mr. Abdelfattah AMOR, Tunisia, 31.12.2006  
Mr. Maurice Ahanhanzo GLÈLÈ-AHANHANZO, Benin, 31.12.2008  
Mr. Edwin JOHNSON LOPEZ, Ecuador, 31.12.2008  
Mr. Walter KÄLIN, Switzerland, 31.12.2006  
Mr. Rajsoomer LALLAH, Mauritius, 31.12.2008  
Mr. Michael O'FLAHERTY, Ireland, 21.12.2008  
Mr. Rafael RIVAS POSADA, Colombia, 31.12.2008  
Sir Nigel RODLEY, United Kingdom, 31.12.2008  
Mr. Ivan SHEARER, Australia, 31.12.2008  
Mr. Hipólito SOLARI YRIGOYEN, Argentina, 31.12.2006  
Mr. Ahmed TAWFIK KHALIL, Egypt, 31.12.2008  
Ms. Ruth WEDGWOOD, United States of America, 31.12.2006  
Mr. Roman WIERUSZEWSKI, Poland, 31.12.2006  
Ms. Elisabeth PALM, Sweden, 31.12.2008