Welcome to the United Nations 
OHCHR 
History of treaty body strengthening
There have been four major reform initiatives by the UN between 1988 and 2014.
Treaty body strengthening process (2009-2014)
In 2009, the High Commissioner launched a series of consultations to consider how the system could be strengthened. This culminated in her report of June 2012 where a range of proposals was made, together with an analysis of the added value and cost.
The report was a result of a series of consultations to reflect among all stakeholders how the system could be strengthened. Many of the proposals in Navi Pillay’s report informed and inspired resolution 68/268, such as the expansion of the simplified reporting procedure, establishing stricter word limits, the common core document, etc.
In parallel, in 2012 the GA set up an inter-governmental working group, which led (after a 2 year State negotiation in New York) to the adoption of GA resolution 68/268 on strengthening and enhancing the effective functioning of the treaty body system in April 2014.
|
Symbol number |
Title |
|---|---|
|
|
|
|
|
Press release: UN strengthens key human rights reporting system |
|
GA resolution on strengthening and enhancing the effective functioning of the human rights treaty body system |
|
|
Report of the Co-facilitators on the intergovernmental process on treaty body strengthening |
|
|
HC report on treaty bodies strengthening |
|
|
|
Consultations for States parties in New York (April 2012), Geneva (February 2012), and Sion (May 2011) Consultations among treaty body members Consultation among academics, National Human Rights Institutions, or Civil Society Organizations Multi-stakeholders consultations Outcome documents, reports, and statements Stakeholders’ written submissions: |
|
Report of the Secretary-General on measures taken to implement resolution 9/8 and obstacles to its implementation, including recommendations for further improving the effectiveness, harmonization and reform of the treaty body system |
|
|
Measures to improve further the effectiveness, harmonization and reform of the treaty body system |
The Unified Standing Treaty Body (2006)
The High Commissioner’s proposal of a unified standing treaty body 2006: Louise Arbour.
|
Symbol number |
Title |
|---|---|
|
Report of a brainstorming meeting on reform of the human rights treaty body system, “Malbun II”, Liechtenstein |
|
|
|
Preliminary non-paper on legal options for a unified standing treaty body (Secretariat Paper) |
|
|
|
|
The High Commissioner’s concept paper, including her proposal for a unified standing treaty body |
|
|
Report of the Secretary-General "In Larger Freedom: towards development, security and human rights for all" |
The Single Report (2002-2006)
Kofi Annan produced two reports dealing with the human rights treaty body system in 2002 and in 2005 his report ‘In Larger Freedom’ on the future of the organization which identified as challenges the duplication of reporting requirements and poor implementation of recommendations. Kofi Annan proposed that harmonized guidelines on reporting to all treaty bodies should be finalised and implemented so that these bodies can function as a unified system. The harmonized reporting guidelines were adopted in 2006 and are currently still being used.
|
Symbol number |
Title |
|---|---|
|
Compilation of reporting guidelines, including the guidelines on common core document and treaty specific reports |
|
|
Effective functioning of the human rights treaty bodies: Note by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights |
|
|
Status of implementation of actions described in the report of the Secretary-General entitled "Strengthening of the United Nations: an agenda for further change" |
|
|
Report of a brainstorming meeting on reform of the human rights treaty body system, Malbun, Liechenstein |
|
|
Background note on the Secretary-General's proposals for reform of the treaty body system |
|
|
Management review of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (report by Office of Internal Oversight Services) |
|
|
Report of the Secretary-General “Strengthening of the United Nations: an agenda for further change” |
|
|
Corrigendum - Report of the Secretary-General “Strengthening of the United Nations: an agenda for further change” |
The Alston Proposals (1988-1996)
Reports by the IE Philip Alston (1988-1996): now 30 years ago, at the time there were only 6 treaty bodies, which already highlighted non reporting and a number of other key concerns that remain relevant today and raised concerns about the sustainability of the system. One of Philip Alston’s proposals was the preparation of ‘consolidated reports’. No consensus was reached on this proposal to consolidate reports into a single global report covering all six human rights treaties.
|
Symbol number |
Title |
|---|---|
|
Views of the Treaty Body Chairpersons on the report of the Independent Expert |
|
|
Views on the report of the independent expert solicited in 1998 and 2000 |
|
|
Views on the report of the independent expert solicited in 1998 and 2000 |
|
|
Views on the report of the independent expert solicited in 1998 and 2000 |
|
|
Views on the report of the independent expert solicited in 1998 and 2000 |
|
|
Views on the report of the independent expert solicited in 1998 and 2000 |
|
|
Final report on enhancing the long-term effectiveness of the United Nations human rights treaty system, by the independent expert, Mr. Philip Alston |
|
|
Interim report on enhancing the long-term effectiveness of the United Nations human rights treaty system, by the independent expert, Mr. Philip Alston |
|
|
Initial report on enhancing the long-term effectiveness of the United Nations human rights treaty system, by the independent expert, Mr. Philip Alston |
VIEW THIS PAGE IN: