A/65/44 I. Organizational and other matters A. States parties to the Convention 1. As at 14 May 2010, the closing date of the forty-fourth session of the Committee against Torture (hereinafter referred to as “the Committee”), there were 146 States parties to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (hereinafter referred to as “the Convention”). The Convention was adopted by the General Assembly in resolution 39/46 of 10 December 1984 and entered into force on 26 June 1987. 2. The list of States which have signed, ratified or acceded to the Convention is contained in annex I to the present report. The list of States parties that have declared that they do not recognize the competence of the Committee provided for by article 20 of the Convention is provided in annex II. The States parties that have made declarations provided for in articles 21 and 22 of the Convention are listed in annex III. 3. The text of the declarations, reservations or objections made by States parties with respect to the Convention may be found on the United Nations website (http://treaties.un.org/). B. Sessions of the Committee 4. The Committee against Torture has held two sessions since the adoption of its last annual report. The forty-third session (896th to 925th meetings) was held at the United Nations Office at Geneva from 2 to 20 November 2009, and the forty-fourth session (926th to 953rd meetings) was held from 26 April to 14 May 2010. An account of the deliberations of the Committee at these two sessions is contained in the relevant summary records (CAT/C/SR.896-953). C. Membership and attendance at sessions 5. The twelfth meeting of the States parties to the Convention against Torture, which took place in Geneva on 13 October 2009, held elections to replace five members whose term of office expired on 31 December 2009. The list of members with their term of office appears in annex IV to the present report. D. Solemn declaration by the newly elected member 6. At the 926th meeting, on 26 April 2010, Mr. Alessio Bruni made the solemn declaration upon assuming his duties, in accordance with rule 14 of the rules of procedure. E. Election of officers 7. At the forty-fourth session, on 26 April 2010, the Committee elected Mr. Claudio Grossman as Chairperson, Ms. Essadia Belmir, Ms. Felice Gaer and Mr. Xuexian Wang as Vice-Chairpersons and Ms. Nora Sveaass as Rapporteur. GE.10-44721 1