The Treaty Body Members Platform in 2018

Participants in a meeting of the UN Treaty Body members Platform Participants in a meeting of the UN Treaty Body members Platform

14 January 2019

Launched in 2014 and now fully integrated in the Geneva Human Rights Platform, the Treaty Body Members Platform (TBMP) connects experts in United Nations (UN) treaty bodies (TBs) with each other as well as with Geneva-based practitioners, academics and diplomats to share expertise, exchange views on topical questions and develop synergies.

Around ten meetings are organized every year allowing peer exchanges among UN TBs experts, as well as discussions with other Geneva-based actors on issues of common concern.

Activities of the TBMP in 2018 included discussions on the harmonization of TBs, exchanges among peers and with external experts and other institutions on thematic issues, and briefings on the 2020 review of TBs by the UN General Assembly.

The Harmonization of UN TBs

In collaboration with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), several workshops involving members of all TBs addressed key harmonization issues like the simplified reporting procedure and the handling of individual communications.

‘These workshops allowed TBs members to share best practices and procedures and to identify avenues for the harmonization of their working methods’ underlines Felix Kirchmeier, Coordinator of the Geneva Human Rights Platform.

Un Treaty Bodies Simplified Reporting Procedure

Exchanges on Fighting Corruption, Addressing Harmful Practices, Prior and Informed Consent and the Right to Life

In 2018, experts from all TBs – the Human Rights Committee, the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women, the Committee on Enforced Disappearances, the Committee on the Rights of the Child, the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, the Committee against Torture, the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Committee on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families – discussed a range of issues among themselves as well as with external experts and practitioners, including staff of the World Health Organization, Geneva-based NGOs or members of other mechanisms, like the UN Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

‘These exchanges notably addressed a human rights-based approach to fight corruption, the right of indigenous peoples to free, prior, and informed consent, how to address ‘harmful practices’ and the right to life as part of the drafting of General Comment No 36 on article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights’ explains Felix Kirchmeier.

Towards the 2020 Review

Several meetings, including specific briefings during the various Committees’ session and a discussion during the Chairpersons’ meeting in New York, also allowed UN TB members to be informed and reflect upon the ongoing discussions towards the 2020 TB Review by the General Assembly.

Presentation New York UN Trearty Bodies

MORE ON THIS THEMATIC AREA

A general view of participants during the 54nd session of the Human Rights Council News

New Paper Unlocks the Potential of the UN Human Rights Council in Global Conflict Prevention

3 November 2023

Our new policy brief Delivering the Right to Peace: Towards a Reinforced Role of the Human Rights Council in the UN's Peace and Security Framework delves into the possibilities of enhancing the Human Rights Council's involvement in the UN's peace and security functions.

Read more

Keyboard with helpdesk News

New Paper Discusses the Establishment of a Global Helpdesk on Business and Human Rights

11 December 2023

Our new Research Brief discusses the proposal to establish a global helpdesk on business and human rights at the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Read more

A hand on a wire fence Event

Recognition of Gender Apartheid as an International Crime: Significance and Challenges

18 April 2024, 18:00-19:30

This panel will address crucial questions surrounding the necessity of a legal framework for gender apartheid under international law.

Read more

Open dump Training

Protecting Human Rights and the Environment

2-20 September 2024

Participants in this training course, made of two modules, will examine the major international and regional instruments for the promotion of human rights and the environment, familiarizing themselves with the respective implementation and enforcement mechanisms.

Read more

Afghanistan, Parwan detention facility. Inside a room where detainees of the prison, separated by an acrylic glass, are allowed to meet with their families a couple of times per year with the help of the ICRC employees who facilitate the programme. Short Course

Preventing and Combating Terrorism

25 April - 17 May 2024

This online short course discusses the extent to which states may limit and/or derogate from their international human rights obligations in order to prevent and counter-terrorism and thus protect persons under their jurisdiction.

Read more

surveillance image of people Project

Human Rights in a Digitalized World: Mapping Risk, Strengthening Regulation and Promoting the Development of International Human Rights Law

Started in August 2023

To unpack the challenges raised by artificial intelligence, this project will target two emerging and under-researched areas: digital military technologies and neurotechnology.

Read more

First annual conference of the Geneva Human Rights Platform Project

The Annual Conference of the Geneva Human Rights Platform

Started in June 2019

Read more

Cover Page of Research Brief Publication

The Human Right to a Clean, Healthy and Sustainable Environment: Understanding its Scope, States Obligations and Links with Other Human Rights

published on March 2024

Christophe Golay, Baïna Ubushieva

Read more

Cover Page of Research Brief Publication

Environmental Human Rights as a Tool in Early Warning and Conflict Prevention The Role of the Human Rights Council

published on January 2024

Erica Harper, Baïna Ubushieva

Read more