1 Contents I. About Part II of the Training Guide............................................................................................v II. Planning your Training Course...................................................................................................vii III. Opening and Introducing the Training Course.............................................................................xii IV. The Course Content.................................................................................................................... 1 1. The United Nations Human Rights System SESSION 1.1. OVERVIEW OF THE INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS SYSTEM.................................... 2 SESSION 1.2. RATIFICATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS TREATIES (OPTION 1)............................................. 7 SESSION 1.2 (BIS). RATIFICATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS TREATIES (OPTION 2)...................................... 9 SESSION 1.3. FUNCTIONS OF THE TREATY BODIES........................................................................ 13 SESSION 1.4. THE KEY PROVISIONS/GENERAL OBLIGATIONS OF AN INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS TREATY (SAMPLE: THE CONVENTION AGAINST TORTURE AND OTHER CRUEL, INHUMAN OR DEGRADING TREATMENT OR PUNISHMENT)........................... 16 2. National Mechanisms for Reporting and Follow-up (NMRF) SESSION 2.1. OVERVIEW OF THE GOVERNMENTAL STRUCTURES FOR ENGAGEMENT WITH THE HUMAN RIGHTS MECHANISMS: NMRF............................................................. 20 SESSION 2.2. KEY CAPACITIES OF A NMRF................................................................................... 24 3. The Benefits of Treaty Body Reporting SESSION 3. BENEFITS OF REPORTING........................................................................................ 30 4. The Reporting Procedure SESSION 4.1. THE REPORT OF THE STATE PARTY............................................................................. 34 SESSION 4.2. THE REPORTING CYCLE........................................................................................... 37 SESSION 4.2.1. GOOD PRACTICES IN STATE PARTY REPORTING............................... 40 SESSION 4.2.2. HOW TO PREPARE A STATE PARTY REPORT?...................................... 42 SESSION 4.2.3. HOW TO PREPARE FOR THE CONSTRUCTIVE DIALOGUE?................. 49 SESSION 4.2.4. HOW TO FOLLOW-UP AND IMPLEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS (AN INTEGRATED APPROACH)?....................................................... 58 5. Engagement of the United Nations System in the Reporting Procedure SESSION 5. EXPLORING HOW TO MAKE BEST USE OF UN SYSTEM SUPPORT TO IMPLEMENT HUMAN RIGHTS RECOMMENDATIONS DURING THE IMPLEMENTATION PHASE OF THE REPORTING CYCLE...................................................................................... 68 iii