The Reporting Procedure
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As part of the efforts to harmonize their working methods, the Chairpersons of the Treaty Bodies
endorsed, at their 26th meeting, a Framework for Concluding Observations (available at https://
goo.gl/efnuPi). The aim of the framework is to encourage Treaty Bodies to adopt short, focused and
concrete concluding observations which are implementable. However, when using the framework,
each Treaty Body has the flexibility to adapt it so as to reflect and respect the specific nature of each
treaty and committee.
The drafting process for the concluding observations is usually coordinated by the country
rapporteur(s) or country task force. This process entails inter alia collection of comments and
suggestions from members of the Treaty Body before the draft is discussed and adopted in a formal
session. Once the concluding observations are adopted, the Treaty Body may, at its discretion,
share a courtesy advance copy of the concluding observations to allow the State party to submit
factual (not substantive) amendments for consideration by the Treaty Body prior to publication of
the concluding observations. The Treaty Bodies publish the concluding observations, as an unedited
version, on their respective webpages on the last day of each session or the next working day
thereafter. On completion of the translations the concluding observations are available in all six UN
official languages.
4.2.3. Follow-up and implementation of concluding observations
This section discusses the last stage of the reporting cycle, namely follow-up and implementation of
concluding observations (recommendations), which requires active engagement by the State party.
State party action taken at this stage can be related mainly to the information management capacity
of a NMRF.
i. Treaty Bodies follow-up procedure
Seven Treaty Bodies (HRCttee, CESCR, CERD, CAT, CEDAW, CED and CRPD) have adopted a
follow-up procedure under which they identify between one and three recommendations from
the concluding observations which require immediate attention and implementation; and, in
consequence, request State parties to submit, within one or two years, an interim follow-up report
on the measures taken to implement those priority recommendations. The procedure is a desk review
which provides the opportunity for continuation of the State party’s engagement with the Treaty Body.
Ideally the national mechanism for reporting and follow-up (NMRF) should be the governmental
structure responsible for preparing follow-up reports (see Chapter 2). Treaty Bodies also welcome
written information from the United Nations System, NHRIs and CSOs in this procedure.
Usually a member of the relevant Committee is appointed as the responsible Rapporteur for the
follow-up procedure. For example, the Human Rights Committee appoints a special rapporteur for
follow-up to concluding observations, who takes the lead in producing a follow-up progress report
at each session. This report includes a summary of the State party’s follow-up report and information
from NHRIs and CSOs and other sources, along with the Committee’s assessment of the extent of
implementation. If further information is required, the Committee may request the State party to
include it in its next periodic report. As regards State parties that have not supplied their follow-up
reports, the Rapporteur will send reminders requesting the outstanding information.
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