Event information

8 October 2019, 13:15-14:30

Downloads

Agenda >

Perspectives on the 2020 TB Review

Event

Session of a UN Treaty Body Session of a UN Treaty Body
Switzerland inkl. Zeile Permanent Mission   Mision

This briefing of the Geneva Human Rights Platform, co-organized with the Permanent Missions of Costa Rica and Switzerland to the United Nations (UN) in New York will discuss options and positions towards the 2020 treaty body (TB) review. Held in form of an open discussion with short inputs from different stakeholders, it will update the New York-based diplomatic community about processes and inputs towards the 2020 review.

Background

In 2014, the UN General Assembly (UNGA) adopted resolution A/RES/68/268 on strengthening and enhancing the effective functioning of the TB system. Two aspects of the resolution ensure accountability in its implementation: the biennial report of the UN Secretary-General on the state of the TB system and the 2020 review by the UNGA. The 2020 horizon presents an opportunity to further reflect on the Treaty Body System’s future and to develop innovative proposals and solutions without weakening the human rights protection the Treaty Body System currently affords.

Leading up to this 2020 review, States and other stakeholders have submitted proposals for strengthening the TB system to inform the third and final report of the UNSG. Among TB members, numerous discussions have taken place and positions are forming.

Welcome and Introductory Remarks

  • Permanent Mission of Switzerland

Update on the Activities in Geneva and Stakeholders' Positions

  • Hilary Gbedemah, Chair, CEDAW, and President of TB Chairpersons
  • Kamelia Kemileva, Senior Consultant, Geneva Human Rights Platform
  • Felix Kirchmeier, Executive Director, Geneva Human Rights Platform
  • Elena Kountouri-Tapiero, Secretary, Treaty Body Chairpersons' Meeting, OHCHR
  • Madeleine Sinclair, New York director and legal counsel, ISHR

Closing Remarks / Future steps

  • Permanent Mission of Costa Rica

MORE ON THIS THEMATIC AREA

Mô Bleeker News

UNSG Special Adviser Mô Bleeker Becomes Senior Fellow at the Geneva Academy

15 April 2025

Mô Bleeker, UNSG Special Adviser on the Responsibility to Protect, shares how her work as Senior Fellow at the Geneva Academy contributes to our shared goals.

Read more

Human Rights Tiles News

From Signals to Action: Strengthening the UN's Conflict Prevention Efforts

31 March 2025

Our recent research brief series explores how the United Nations' human rights system can enhance its role in early warning and conflict prevention.

Read more

Special Rapporteur Sign Event

Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in an Era of Escalating Armed Conflict: Where Can International Human Rights Law Help?

25 September 2025, 18:30-20:00

This evening dialogue will present the publication: International Human Rights Law: A Treatise, Cambridge University Press (2025).

Read more

Enforced Disappearances Event

'Short-term' Enforced Disappearances

23 September 2025, 13:00-14:00

This side event will bring together stakeholders to discuss the growing concerning recurrence to short-term enforced disappearances worldwide, and the challenges they pose for victims and accountability.

Read more

Town Hall Meeting Training

Localizing International Human Rights

8-10 October 2025

This training course, specifically designed for staff of city and regional governments, will explore the means and mechanisms through which local and regional governments can interact with and integrate the recommendations of international human rights bodies in their concrete work at the local level.

Read more

A general view of participants during of the 33nd ordinary session of the Human Rights Council. Training

The Universal Periodic Review and the UN Human Rights System: Raising the Bar on Accountability

10-14 November 2025

This training course will explore the origin and evolution of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) and its functioning in Geneva and will focus on the nature of implementation of the UPR recommendations at the national level.

Read more

George Floyd protest in Washington D.C. Project

Promoting and Protecting the Rights to Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and Association and Civic Space Worldwide

Started in June 2020

This project aims at providing support to the UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights to Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and of Association Clément Voulé by addressing emerging issues affecting civic space and eveloping tools and materials allowing various stakeholders to promote and defend civic space.

Read more

Online folders Project

Digital Human Rights Tracking Tools and Databases

Started in March 2023

This initiative wishes to contribute to better and more coordinated implementation, reporting and follow-up of international human rights recommendations through a global study on digital human rights tracking tools and databases.

Read more

Cover of the 2023 Geneva Academy Annual Report Publication

Annual Report 2024

published on July 2025

Read more