Treaty Bodies

Overview of what you will learn in this module

An introduction to UN Treaty Bodies, the committees of independent experts that monitor how State parties are implementing the core international human rights treaties and their optional protocols

Explore the various ways the Treaty Bodies can support your advocacy

Gain a deeper understanding of the Treaty Bodies through our quiz

Understand the nature and purpose of the periodic review process, one of the main outputs of the Treaty Body system

Explore how Treaty Bodies take up individual communications or complaints

Learn about general comments and recommendations and what they mean to defenders

Understand the nature of inquiries undertaken by Treaty Bodies

Discover how Treaty Bodies can act to prevent and address specific human rights violations

Examine the ways that Treaty Bodies follow-up on their own actions to push for change

Learn about the crucial role of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in the work of the Treaty Bodies

Reflect on whether a particular Treaty Body is the right tool to help you achieve your advocacy goals

Bring it all together and see what you’ve learnt!

Gain a deeper understanding of how individuals are selected to become Committee members

Learn how to use the grading system or assessments in your follow up activities

Explore how you can engage in the process of individual complaints as an amicus curiae

Learn how Treaty Body members can visit specific countries, and what you can do to get involved

Discover the process for state-to-state complaints to a Treaty Body and how you might engage

Understand the purpose and status of the current ‘Treaty Body strengthening process’

Learn what you can do to push for the ratification of treaties by your country

Overview of how you can work with the Treaty Bodies, depending on what you want to achieve

Remind yourself of what you need to invest to get the biggest impact out of the Treaty Bodies

Understand the importance – and necessity - of working with others when engaging with Treaty Bodies

Discover the nature and purpose of periodic reviews and how they hold States to account

Find out when and how you can engage in national consultations, contribute to the list of issues, and prepare shadow reports

Learn how to get the most out of your participation during Treaty Body sessions and in follow up

Explore the potential impact of individual communications or complaints

Get information on developing an individual communication or complaint to a Treaty Body

Discover why general comments and recommendations are useful to understand and implement a treaty

Learn how to push for a general comment or recommendation and influence its contents

Find out more about the nature and purpose of Treaty Body inquiries

Learn how to request and participate in Treaty Body inquiries

Explore whether an early warning or urgent action by a Treaty Body would be useful in your advocacy

Find out what you need to do in order make such a request

Explore how you can follow up on the actions of the Treaty Bodies

Discover the different ways you can engage with the Treaty Bodies without travelling to Geneva

Reflect on what you have learnt and take the quiz!

Share your thoughts on this module about the Treaty Bodies