The idea of monitoring human rights by reviewing such State reports originated in a 1956 resolution of the Economic and Social Council, which requested United Nations Member States to submit periodic reports on progress made in the advancement of human rights.7 The model was incorporated into the 1965 International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, the two International Covenants of 1966, and every core international human rights treaty since. In order to meet its reporting obligation, each State party must submit a comprehensive initial report within one or two years of the treaty entering into force for it (see table). It must then continue to report periodically, usually every four or five years, in accordance with the provisions of the treaty on further measures taken to implement it (with the exception of the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance). The reports must set out the legal, administrative and judicial measures taken by the State to give effect to the treaty, and should also mention any factors or difficulties encountered in implementing the rights. In order to ensure that reports contain adequate information to allow the committees to do their work, each committee issues guidelines on the form and content of State reports. These guidelines are issued in a compilation document (HRI/GEN/2), which is updated regularly. 7 Resolution 624 B (XXII). 22