CAT/C/3/Rev.6 “I solemnly declare that I will perform my duties and exercise my powers as a member of the Committee against Torture honourably, faithfully, independently, impartially and conscientiously.” Rule 15 Independence and impartiality of members 1. The independence and impartiality of the members of the Committee are essential for the performance of their duties and requires that they serve in their personal capacity and shall neither seek nor accept instructions from anyone concerning the performance of their duties. Members are accountable only to the Committee and their own conscience. 2. In their duties under the Convention, members of the Committee shall maintain the highest standards of impartiality and integrity, and apply the standards of the Convention equally to all States and all individuals, without fear or favour and without discrimination of any kind. 3. The Addis Ababa guidelines on the independence and impartiality of members of the human rights treaty bodies are annexed to the present rules of procedure.1 The guidelines are an important tool for the interpretation of the rules concerning the independence and impartiality of the members of the Committee. IV. Officers Rule 16 Elections The Committee shall elect from among its members a Chairperson, three Vice-Chairpersons and a Rapporteur. In electing its officers, the Committee shall give consideration to equitable geographical distribution and appropriate gender balance and, to the extent possible, rotation among members. Rule 17 Term of office Subject to the provisions of rule 12 regarding the Chairperson, members of the Bureau and Rapporteurs, the officers of the Committee shall be elected for a term of two years. They shall be eligible for re-election. None of them, however, may hold office if he/she ceases to be a member of the Committee. 1 10 In accordance with United Nations documentation regulations, a United Nations document already published cannot be reissued in a different document. Consequently, reference is made to the Addis Ababa guidelines contained in annex I to the report of the Chairs of the human rights treaty bodies on their twenty-fourth meeting (A/67/222).