UN treaty body strengthening through follow-up procedures and membership (HRC37, 2018, Joint-OS)

On behalf of the NGO Network on UN Treaty Bodies (TB-Net), IMADR delivered the joint statement on “UN treaty body strengthening through follow-up procedures and membership” at the 37th session of the Human Rights Council. Whole text can be read below or downloaded here. 

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Joint Oral Statement: 37th session of the Human Rights Council

Item 2: Interactive Dialogue with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights

8 March 2018

Speaker: Taisuke Komatsu (IMADR)

Thank you Mr. President,

This is a joint statement delivered on behalf of seven organizations[1] which form the NGO Network on UN Treaty Bodies (TB-Net) with the aim of increasing the effectiveness of treaty bodies to ensure accountability under the international human rights treaties. In support of this aim, last year we led and facilitated two key meetings: one on follow-up procedures and one on treaty body membership.

The Meeting on follow-up procedures discussed the measures treaty bodies take to monitor the States parties’ implementation of recommendations. The meeting, organised with the OHCHR and attended by members of all treaty bodies, affirmed that the follow-up procedures in the treaty body system are crucial for the effective implementation of the recommendations as they allow treaty bodies to maintain a dialogue with States during the period between the State review and the next periodic report and to support them with the fulfilment of their obligations. It also stressed the need for cooperation and support from States parties in the follow-up process as well as the need for treaty bodies to streamline their procedures.

The second meeting that we organised focused on promoting quality, independence and diversity in treaty body membership.[2] Multi-stakeholder cooperation between States parties, civil society and the OHCHR for nomination and election processes was repeatedly highlighted as an important and unique way to ensure that treaty body members are nominated and elected based on the criteria provided by the treaties and the GA resolution 68/268 on treaty body strengthening.

We take note of the report[3] submitted to this Council under the resolution 9/8 concerning the treaty body strengthening process and we emphasize that the effectiveness of the follow-up procedures and the quality, independence and diversity of treaty body membership are vital to strengthen the treaty body system. We therefore call on States and the OHCHR to support these practical initiatives and cooperate with civil society.

 Thank you Mr. President.

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[1] Centre for Civil and Political Rights (CCPR-Centre), Child Rights Connect, the Global Initiative for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (GIESCR), the International Disability Alliance (IDA), The International Movement Against All Forms of Discrimination and Racism (IMADR), International Womens’ Rights Action Watch Asia Pacific (IWRAW-Asia Pacific) and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT)

[2] “Promoting Quality, Independence and Diversity in Treaty Body Membership: the Importance of Transparent and Participatory Nominations and Election Processes”, https://www.facebook.com/notes/tb-net/event-report-promoting-quality-independence-and-diversity-in-treaty-body-members/2017859365128158/

[3] A/HRC/37/21