68. In United Nations bodies, all States are invited to attend and participate in the drafting so as to ensure that the final document reflects the views and experience of all regions of the world and all major legal systems. Whether for a binding treaty or for an authoritative declaration, every proposal is closely scrutinized and debated, until a final text is at length agreed on. Even then, in the case of treaties, a State is not bound by the instrument until it has signed and ratified (or acceded to) it. 69. Instruments of universal application are elaborated in United Nations human rights bodies (such as the Commission on Human Rights), for submission to the General Assembly for adoption. Additionally, expert studies on various human rights problems which may lead to the development of new human rights standards are undertaken each year by the Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights. 70. Specialized instruments of universal application are also elaborated and adopted by United Nations specialized agencies, such as the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). 71. Lastly, a number of important regional human rights instruments have been developed by the major regional organizations, including the Council of Europe, the Organization of American States and the Organization of African Unity. 6. Who monitors human rights? 72. Of course, merely establishing a set of rules is not enough to ensure their application. The implementation of human rights standards is closely watched at several levels. National institutions and organizations monitoring human rights include: 39. – Concerned government agencies and services; 39. – National human rights institutions, such as an independent human rights commission or an ombudsman (these are extrajudicial institutions established 2 following the guidelines known as “The Paris Principles”); 39. – Human rights groups and other non-governmental organizations (NGOs); 39. – Community-based organizations; 39. – The courts; 39. – Parliament; 39. – The media; 39. – Professional associations (such as lawyers’ or doctors’ associations); 39. – Trade unions; 39. – Religious organizations; 39. – Academic institutions. 2Adopted by General Assembly resolution 48/134 of 20 December 1993. 32