About the seminar
This seminar aims to explore recent developments at the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) and their impact on the UN human rights system. The presentation will cover CERD’s established practices, including country reviews, individual communications, and general recommendations. However, the primary focus will be on significant developments over the past 2–5 years, particularly:
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The activities of the Ad Hoc Conciliation Commission in the Palestine vs. Israel case—the first-ever inter-state communication processed within the UN treaty body system, culminating in a report delivered in 2024.
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The review of CERD’s Rules of Procedure.
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Key actions undertaken within CERD’s Early Warning and Urgent Action Procedure.
Participants will be encouraged to engage in discussions on these topics, as well as on the broader effectiveness and future direction of the UN treaty body system.
About the speaker
Michał Balcerzak, Dr. iur. hab. Associate Professor, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń and University of Szczecin, Poland.
Since 2022, Michał Balcerzak has been serving as Member, Vice-Chair (2022-2024) and Chair (2024-2026) of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD). Within the CERD Committee, he was a member of the Working Groups for Early Warning and Urgent Action (EWUA) and for Individual Communications. He also served as a conciliator at the Ad Hoc Conciliation Commission on the inter-state communication submitted by the State of Palestine vs. Israel (established under Article 12 of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination).
Michał Balcerzak served as an ad hoc judge at the European Court of Human Rights (2018-2022) and was an alternate member of the Management Board of the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (2012-2016). Earlier in his career, he was a member of the United Nations Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent (special procedure of the Human Rights Council, 2014-2021, chairperson of the Group 2018-2019). He took part in various inter-governmental expert activities within the Council of Europe, including at the Steering Committee on Human Rights (2004-2008), and working groups drafting recommendations of the Committee of Ministers concerning the protection of human rights in accelerated asylum procedures (GT-DH-AS, 2006-2009), human rights of members of armed forces (DH-DEV- FA, 2007-2009) and combatting impunity for serious human rights violations (DH-I, 2009- 2011).
His research interests include the international protection of human rights, the law of state responsibility, and international organizations.
Practical information
The lecture will be in English. Due to limited space, participants will have to register prior to the lecture.
The seminar will be held in room 8113, on the 8th floor of Domus Juridica.