22 ✔✔ Avoid nominations of experts holding any position that might expose them to pressures, conflict of interests or generate a real or perceived impression of a lack of independence; ✔✔ Limit the terms of service of members to a reasonable number for any given committee, bearing in mind that the most recent treaties allow a maximum of two successive terms. The Secretary-General’s letter specifies the date by which the secretariat should receive the nominations, which is generally two or three months before the elections. States parties should submit their nominations to the secretariat, together with the curricula vitae (CVs) of the nominees. These CVs, which follow a template and are strictly limited to five pages, should list: first and last names, date and place of birth, working languages, current position/function, main professional activities, educational background, other main activities relevant to the mandate of the treaty body and the most recent publications in the field. The secretariat then prepares the list of nominees with their nominating States and circulates it to the Permanent Missions of the States parties. It is also posted on the treaty body’s website, together with all other relevant documentation such as the rules of procedure.11 The deadline for submitting nominations is important. The secretariat must compile the list of nominees and their CVs, translate this information into the official languages and circulate it to States parties in time for States to consider the merits of the candidates. The secretariat, nonetheless, often receives nominations after the deadline. In such cases, it cannot guarantee the translation and circulation of these nominees’ names and CVs. This may put them at a disadvantage. In any case, at the time of the elections, the meeting of States parties will examine any late candidates and decide whether they should be endorsed and included on the ballot paper.12 At any time before the election, the nominating State may withdraw a candidate, either by writing in advance to the secretariat or, alternatively, by notifying the Chair (and informing the secretariat) of the meeting of States parties on the day of the elections. The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities expressly identifies a role for persons with disabilities and their representative organizations in the nomination by States parties of candidates for election to the Committee (arts. 4 (3) and 34); civil society involvement in this process is not envisaged in the other treaties. Civil society can nevertheless play an important role, even without being expressly referred to. For example, CSOs may:13 These websites are accessible from the home page of OHCHR (www.ohchr.org, click on “Human rights bodies”). Note that, for the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the timeline precludes the consideration of late nominations. 13 Adapted from Child Rights Connect, “Elections to the Committee on the Rights of the Child: Information for NGOs”, Fact Sheet 1 (2006). Available from www.childrightsconnect.org. 11 12