REPORTING TO THE UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS TREATY BODIES TRAINING GUIDE: Part I — Manual ÎÎIf you want to learn about the status of ratification and reporting in your country, click here or visit the OHCHR website at the link http://tbinternet.ohchr.org/_layouts/ TreatyBodyExternal/Countries.aspx Ideally the planning is undertaken by a NMRF, as the governmental entity responsible for coordinating the preparation of the report. Otherwise the lead responsibility should be clearly assigned to a Ministry. The reporting process requires the involvement and commitment of all relevant governmental officials from top leadership to working-level staff. It is particularly important to attract the interest of and support from the political leadership to ensure a common approach to the report and to also send a strong message to all relevant line ministries and public agencies that they must cooperate in the process of preparing the report and implementing the recommendations emanating from its review. This will help the reporting team fulfil its task effectively. Preparation of a report is a labour-intensive process which requires an investment mainly in terms of human resources. An effective reporting process usually lasts between six and a maximum of twelve months. To maximize the available resources, States are encouraged to plan their national reporting process carefully. It is suggested that a workplan specific to the preparation of each report be developed, giving clear timelines (for collecting data, drafting, meetings, etc.), assigning responsibilities to the different actors involved in the reporting process (e.g., focal points within ministries for information-sharing purposes); and presenting cost estimates, including for participation in the constructive dialogue. The timelines should also factor in any needed capacity-building activity for the officials directly involved in preparing the State party report. Capacity-building activities should ideally be conducted before preparation of the report begins. It can be useful to create a small drafting group responsible for drafting the respective State party report under the coordination of the NMRF or a high-level official from the respective lead Ministry, composed of focal points from key ministries and other relevant governmental entities. In the composition of the drafting group due consideration should be given to gender balance. The drafting group could also include subject-matter experts. Their participation may increase the substantive quality of the report and enhance the understanding of government officials with respect to the impact of international human rights law on their respective areas of work and thereafter facilitate implementation of recommendations in their areas of work. Moreover, the mandate and authority of the drafting group to collect the data and information necessary to accomplish its task should be clearly stated, so as to ensure a smooth flow of information. In conclusion, notwithstanding the type of reporting mechanism chosen by a State party, a clear political and administrative commitment to human rights reporting along with a common approach to the report, proper coordination, and clear timelines and assignment of tasks, are essential elements in the preparation of a State party report. ii. Identifying key issues 42 With the word limit established by the General Assembly on State parties’ reports to the Treaty Bodies, it is essential to conduct an exercise aimed at identifying the most relevant issues relating to implementation of the treaty on which a State party should report to a Treaty Body (i.e., issues of particular importance to that State party). To be able to identify these issues as well as all relevant