1. Overview of the International Human Rights System
OHCHR Treaty Body Capacity Building Programme
Introduction
First view a short 8 minute film on the UN human rights system, which will be followed by a short multiple-choice quiz and then we will go through the answers together. Video available at:
You will have time to ask questions at the end, and the hand-out of the slide will be given to you electronically
ASK them to pay attention to the functions of the Treaty Bodies
UPDATES to the video: a third OP to the CRC  CRC-OPIC in force since April 2014
ICCPED in force since 23 December 2010
TBs sessions are no longer conducted in NY. Only GVA!

2. The UN main Human Rights Mechanisms
General Assembly
Secretariat
OHCHR*
*OHCHR supports the work of the HRC and the mechanisms
Adopts
Creates
Human Rights Treaties
Human Rights Council
Treaty Bodies
(Committees)
Universal Periodic Review
Special Procedures

3. Overview of international human rights treaties
Specific phenomena
Specific groups
International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
Convention against Torture and other Inhuman, Degrading Treatment or Punishment
Convention on the Rights of the Child
Convention the rights of Migrant Workers and members of their families
Convention on Enforced Disappearances
Convention the rights of persons with disabilities

4. Two Covenants covering civil, political, social and cultural rights
Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), 1966
1st Optional Protocol (individual complaints), 1966
2nd Optional Protocol (abolition of the death penalty),1989
Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), 1966
Optional Protocol (individual complaints), 2008

5. Human Rights treaties addressing specific phenomena
The International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD), 1965
The Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT), 1984
Optional Protocol to CAT (establishment of the Subcommittee on the Prevention of Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment  inspections of detention facilities)
The International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance (ICCPED), 2006

6. Human Rights treaties protecting specific groups
The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), 1979
Optional Protocol (communications)
The Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), 1989
OP on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography
OP on the involvement of children in armed conflict
OP on a communications procedure
The International Convention for the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families (CMW), 1990
The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), 2006

7. The Human Rights treaties
Legally binding treaties negotiated and adopted by States within the framework of the United Nations General Assembly
Obligations undertaken voluntarily by States
Once ratified/acceded to, treaty obligations are not optional: legally binding obligations
Obligations entail a threefold responsibility to:
Respect (Refrain from violating a right…)
Protect (Prevent violations of a right…)
Fulfil (Take measures to ensure the realization of a right…)

8. Status of ratifications of the core international human rights treaties today *:
ICCPR: OPI OP II 85
ICESCR: OP
ICERD: 179
CEDAW: OP
CAT: OP
CRC: OPAC OPSC OPIC 39
ICMW:
CRPD: OP
ICCPED:
*As of September 2018

9. The UN human rights treaty system
Each of the HRs treaties provides for the establishment of a Committee of independent expert = a treaty body. In addition, the OPCAT creates as well a treaty body. Therefore  10 Treaty bodies.
1. Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD)
2. Human Rights Committee (HRCttee)
3. Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR)
4. Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW)
5. Committee against Torture (CAT)
6. Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC)
7. Committee on Migrant Workers (CMW)
8. Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD)
9. Committee on Enforced Disappearances (CED)
10. Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture (SPT)

10. Treaty bodies
Mandate: to monitor the implementation of the relevant treaty by States parties
Composed of independent experts, nominated and elected by States parties for fixed, renewable terms of four years
Membership: members depending the Committee
In total: 172 members in total (10 TBs)
Criteria: Expertise, equitable geographical distribution, representation of principal legal systems and different forms of civilization and balanced gender representation
Non-remunerated, and serve solely in their personal capacity
Meet for 1-4 weeks session, held 2-3 times per year in Geneva

11. Human Rights Council Intergovernmental body 47 Members
Serviced by OHCHR
Addresses human rights violations
Works to prevent human rights abuses
Responds to emergencies
International forum for human rights dialogue
Recommends developments in human rights law
Periodically reviews country situations (UPR)

12. Mechanisms of the HRC: Universal Periodic Review (UPR)
Inter-governmental peer review
Each State reviewed in a 4,5 year cycle
Reviews based on:
National reports from the States under review
Compilation report including information from UN experts and bodies
Compilation report including information from other stakeholders (NGOs, NHRIs,…)
HRC issues a report with recommendations and commitments of the State concerned

13. Mechanisms of the HRC: Special Procedures
44 thematic mandates
12 mandates relating to countries or territories
Appointed by the Human Rights Council
Monitor human rights in different countries or specific issues
Research issues of concern
Country visits
Receive and consider direct complaints
Appeal to governments
Respond to emergencies
Report to the Human Rights Council
*as of January 2018