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40.
At the conclusion of the visit, the representative(s) would report to the
Committee. In the light of the report presented by its representative(s), the
Committee would then formulate its own conclusions. Those conclusions would
relate to the full range of functions carried out by the Committee, including
those relating to technical assistance and advisory services. In a case where
the State party concerned did not accept the proposed mission, the Committee
would consider making whatever recommendations might be appropriate to the
Economic and Social Council.
D.
Procedure in response to non-submitted and considerably overdue reports
41.
The Committee believes that a situation of persistent non-reporting by
States parties risks bringing the entire supervisory procedure into disrepute,
thereby undermining one of the foundations of the Covenant.
42.
Accordingly, the Committee resolved at its sixth session to begin in due
course to consider the situation concerning the implementation of the Covenant
in respect of each State party whose initial or periodic reports were very
significantly overdue. At its seventh session it resolved to begin scheduling
consideration of such reports at its future sessions and to notify the States
parties concerned. It began to apply this procedure at its ninth session.
43.
The Committee has adopted the following procedure:
(a)
To select States parties whose reports are very much overdue on the
basis of the length of time involved;
(b)
To notify each such State party that the Committee intends to
consider the situation with respect to that country at a specified future
session;
(c)
To move, in the absence of any report, to consider the status of
the economic, social and cultural rights in the light of all available
information;
(d)
To authorize its Chairperson, in situations where the State party
concerned indicates that a report will be provided to the Committee and upon a
request from the State party, to defer consideration of the situation for one
session, but not longer.
E.
Day of general discussion
44.
At each session, the Committee devotes one day, usually the Monday of the
third week, to a general discussion of a particular right or of a particular
aspect of the Covenant. The purpose is twofold: the day assists the
Committee in developing in greater depth its understanding of the relevant
issues; and it enables the Committee to encourage inputs into its work from
all interested parties. The following issues have been the focus of
discussion: the right to adequate food (third session); the right to housing
(fourth session); economic and social indicators (sixth session); the right to