Interim measures

The CEDAW Committee has the mandate to request that the State Party take urgent measures aimed at protecting the victim/victims of the alleged women’s rights violation from the potential ‘irreparable’ harm that she or they are exposed to. The term ‘irreparable damage’ includes, for instance, the threat to life or the risk of torture. The interim measures can be applied to protect the victims from domestic violence or from deportation, including to countries where the victim’s life would be threatened. The Committee makes the decision about using interim measures on the basis of the information presented by the complainant at any stage of the process between the receipt of the communication and the decision on the merits.

The Committee’s request for the State to apply the interim measures does not imply a decision on admissibility or the merits of the case.