Arab Human Rights Committee (League Arab)

The Arab Human Rights Committee of the Arab League (AHRC) is the treaty body established
in 2009 to oversee the implementation of the Arab Charter on Human Rights.

Structure:

The AHRC consists of seven independent human rights experts who serve in their personal
capacity and are nationals of member states that have ratified the Arab Charter on Human Rights.
Candidates for the Committee are nominated by the eleven member states of the Arab League and
elected by a secret ballot. Only one expert from each country may sit on the Committee at any given
time. Once elected, Committee members serve for four years and are able to stand for reelection once.

Mandate:

The Committee is responsible for:

 Reviewing State reports

According to article 48 of the Arab Charter, initial state reports are to be submitted within a year
of the Charter entering into force in the state party, and then periodic reports must be submitted
every three years. The Committee can ask State to submit other reports or additional information.
The Committee provides States with guidelines on the format and content of reports. The State
submits its report to the Secretary General of the Arab League, who passes it on to the Committee
for its consideration. The Committee then discusses the report with representatives of the State
and issues its conclusions and recommendations, which are made public.

 Submitting annual reports to the Arab League

The Committee submits annual reports to the Arab League Council.

 Request information from Arab League bodies and Arab institutions

The Committee can request information from Arab League bodies and Arab institutions.

Interpreting the Arab Charter

According to its Rules of Procedures, adopted in November 2014, the Committee also has the
authority to interpret the Charter to ensure the optimal implementation of its provisions. The
absolute majority adopts he Committee’s decisions, remarks, and recommendations.

Website: http://www.lasportal.org/ar/humanrights/Committee/Pages/default.aspx