Individual communications procedure
The procedure concerning communications from individuals or groups claiming to be victims of violations of the Convention came into operation in 1982. Such communications may only be considered if the State concerned is a party to the Convention and has made the declaration under article 14 that it recognizes the competence of CERD to receive such complaints. Where a State party has accepted the competence of the Committee, such communi- cations are confidentially brought to the attention of the State party con- cerned but the identity of  the author is not revealed.

Sessions
The committee meets in two sessions annually in Geneva, in March and August, each of  three weeks’ duration.
For more information on the CERD see the OHCHR web-site: http://www.unhchr.ch/html/ menu2/6/cerd.htm

3.5 Committee against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment
The Committee against Torture was established under the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment. It is composed of 10 experts, acting in their personal capacity, who are nomi- nated and elected by States parties to the Convention for a four- year term.
The primary functions of the Committee are to monitor the implementation of the Convention by examining reports submitted by States parties, to receive individual communications concerning violations of the Convention by States parties which have accepted the optional procedure under article 22 of the Convention and to conduct inquiries into the alleged systematic prac- tice of  torture in States which have accepted the procedure under article 20.