The Human Rights Committee is an 18-member body that monitors the implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights by its State parties. States are required to submit regular reports to the Committee and the Committee examines these reports and addresses any concerns or recommendations in the form of “concluding observations.” The Committee also has the authority to consider inter-state complaints and examine individual complaints of alleged violations of the Covenant through the Optional Protocol. Additionally, the Second Optional Protocol relates to the abolition of the death penalty by States that have accepted it. The Committee also publishes its interpretations of human rights provisions and meets regularly in Geneva.