The purpose of reporting State parties are encouraged to see the process of preparing their reports for the treaty bodies not only as the fulfilment of an international obligation, but also as an opportunity to take stock of the state of human rights protection within their jurisdiction for the purpose of policy planning and implementation. The preparation offers an occasion for each State party to: (a) Conduct a comprehensive review of the measures it has taken to harmonize domestic law and policy with the provisions of the international human rights treaties to which it is a party; (b)  Monitor progress made in promoting the enjoyment of the rights set forth in the treaties in the context of the promotion of human rights in general; (c)  Identify problems and shortcomings in its approach to the implementation of the treaties; (d)  Assess future needs and goals for more effective implementation of the treaties; and (e)  Plan and develop appropriate policies to achieve these goals.8 Seen in this way, the reporting system is an important tool for a State to assess what it has achieved and what more it needs to do to promote and protect human rights in the country. The reporting process should encourage and facilitate, at the national level, public participation, public scrutiny of State policies, laws and programmes, and constructive engagement with civil society in a spirit of cooperation and mutual respect, with the aim of advancing the enjoyment by all of the rights protected by the relevant treaty. Some States incorporate comments and criticism from NGOs in their reports; others submit their reports to parliamentary scrutiny before submitting them to the Secretary-General of the United Nations for consideration by the relevant treaty body. 8 HRI/MC/2004/3, para. 9. A full explanation of the objectives of reporting can be found in general comment No. 1 (1989) of the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. 24