Stage 4: Consideration of the merits

Step 6: The CEDAW Committee considers the communication in-depth

Once it has received all of the relevant information about the communication, the CEDAW Committee shall proceed to deliberate on its merits. The committee relies on “all information made available to it by or on behalf of individuals or groups of individuals and by the state Party concerned” to inform its deliberations (Article 7(1)) [Rule 72].* 

• Information to be transmitted to all concerned parties:Article 7(1) mandates that any information submitted to the CEDAW Committee for consideration in relation to the complaint must also be made available to all concerned parties to the complaint. This allows each party a fair chance to respond to the information presented.

• Closed meetings by the CEDAW Committee:
  Article 7(2) mandates that the CEDAW Committee shall deliberate on communications in closed sessions, without the influence or participation of either the State party or the complainant.

 

Note: * These refer to the Rules of Procedure.