I. ORGANIZATIONAL AND OTHER MATTERS A. States parties to the Convention 1. As at 19 May 2006, the closing date of the thirty-sixth session of the Committee against Torture, there were 141 States parties to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. 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. Since the last report, Madagascar and Nicaragua have become parties to the Convention. 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 in the United Nations website (www.un.org - Site index - treaties). B. Sessions of the Committee 4. The Committee against Torture has held two sessions since the adoption of its last annual report. The thirty-fifth session (665th to 694th meetings) was held at the United Nations Office at Geneva from 7 to 25 November 2005, and the thirty-sixth session (695th to 724th meetings) was held from 1 to 19 May 2006. An account of the deliberations of the Committee at these two sessions is contained in the relevant summary records (CAT/C/SR.665-724). C. Membership and attendance at sessions 5. The membership of the Committee changed during the period covered by the present report, Mr. Julio Prado Vallejo did not attend the thirty-fifth session and on 12 April 2006 he informed the Secretary-General of his decision to resign from the Committee. The 10th Meeting of States parties to the Convention against Torture held elections to replace five members whose term of office expired on 31 December 2005. The list of members with their term of office, appears in annex IV to the present report. D. Solemn declaration by the newly elected and re-elected members 6. At the 695th meeting on 1 May 2006, Ms. Essadia Belmir, Ms. Nora Sveaass and Mr. Alexander Kovalev, made the solemn declaration upon assuming their duties, in accordance with rule 14 of the rules of procedure. 1