A/67/44
of individual communications, and to identify and reflect upon new proposals that would
increase the effectiveness and visibility of treaty body work. It was especially focused on:
(a) strengthening the mechanisms to follow up the implementation by States parties of
recommendations contained in treaty body findings in individual cases; (b) increasing the
effectiveness and systematization of recommendations under the individual
communications procedure; (c) increasing the accessibility and visibility of the
communications procedures; and (d) reviewing best practices regarding the application of
rules of procedure and methods of work;
(c)
Mr. Grossman, as the Committee chairperson, participated in a meeting,
organized by the University of Nottingham and held in Dublin on 10 and 11 November
2011, which brought together the conveners of the seven previous consultations, namely
Dublin, Marrakesh, Poznan, Seoul, Sion, Pretoria and Luzern, as well as representatives of
the NGO coalition on the treaty body strengthening process. Six other treaty body
chairpersons participated in the meeting. The outcome document of this meeting, known as
Dublin II, contains recommendations addressed to treaty bodies, States and OHCHR,
respectively. General measures for treaty body strengthening were discussed, including
with regard to membership, harmonization of treaty body procedures, promoting
knowledge of the treaty body system, reprisals, and resources, as were treaty body
functions, such as the State reporting process, general comments, individual
communications and follow-up to and implementation of concluding observations and
views and opinions. With a view to strengthening membership, the following
recommendations were made: that, as a general rule and without prejudice to the existing
mandates of treaty body members, membership should be limited to a maximum of two full
terms to ensure the renewal and diversity of membership of the treaty bodies; and that
States should establish formal consultative and transparent national selection processes
involving national human rights institutions (NHRIs) and civil society actors to consider
possible nominations of candidates to treaty bodies and make recommendations to
Governments. The Dublin II outcome document, and other relevant documents on treaty
body strengthening, may be found on the OHCHR website (http://www2.ohchr.org/english/
bodies/HRTD/hrtd_process.htm).
(d)
Mr. Bruni participated in the consultation on treaty body strengthening with
United Nations entities and specialized agencies, held in Geneva on 28 November 2011,
and in the consultation with States organized by OHCHR and held in Geneva on 7 and 8
February 2012. The latter event was organized at the request of a large number of States
that required more time to continue the discussions that had taken place in Sion in May
2011. OHCHR made a presentation on facts and figures regarding the growth and financing
of the treaty body system and the proposals contained in the report of the Secretary-General
to the General Assembly (A/66/344). The Division of Conference Management of the
United Nations Office at Geneva also expressed the challenges in supporting the treaty
bodies and suggested potential alternatives for conference servicing support. In addition, a
presentation on a comprehensive reporting calendar was made. The key proposals of the
treaty body strengthening process were the following: (i) a comprehensive reporting
calendar based on a 100 per cent compliance rate over a five-year cycle; (ii) the list of
issues prior to reporting as a tool to foster focused States reports and treaty body
recommendations; (iii) guidelines on the independence and expertise of committee
members; and (iv) more structured and efficient constructive dialogue between treaty
bodies and States parties;
(e)
Ms. Gaer and Mr. Grossman participated in the consultation with States
organized by OHCHR and held in New York on 2 and 3 April 2012. The consultation,
opened by the Secretary-General, was the continuation of the previous consultations with
States parties; it focused in particular on the resourcing of the treaty body system, in order
to ensure its efficient and effective functioning. OHCHR made a presentation on a proposal
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