The German Government welcomes the election of Professor Andreas Zimmermann to the United Nations Human Rights Committee. We are delighted that this renowned international law expert with many years of practical experience as an advisor both in Germany and at international level is now to serve on the UN Human Rights Committee.

The UN Human Rights Committee is composed of independent experts and monitors compliance with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. It is the oldest treaty body established under the international human rights covenants.

We very much welcome the fact that, following the resignation of Professor Anja Seibert Fohr, Germany’s previous member of the Committee, a German expert will again be able to contribute to the work of this important body. Supporting and strengthening the international supervisory bodies established under the human rights covenants is a key aim of the German Government’s human rights policy. Nominating well qualified independent experts from Germany is just one way of pursuing this objective of further improving the reputation and increasing the authority of the treaty bodies.