Event information

7 May 2018, 12:30-14:30

Academic Platform on the 2020 Treaty Body Review: Launch of the final report

Event

Cover page of the report Cover page of the report

Representatives of states, civil society, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and treaty bodies members are cordially invited to the launch of the Geneva Academy report of the Academic Platform on the 2020 Treaty Body Review.

The report details proposals for strengthening the treaty body (TB) system for 2020 and beyond.

The 10 UN human rights TBs are a central pillar of the international human rights protection system. They prevent human rights violations by warning states about areas of concern and advising them on durable solutions that address the root causes of human rights violations.

In 2014, the General Assembly adopted resolution A/RES/68/268 on strengthening and enhancing the effective functioning of the TB system. The 2020 horizon presents an opportunity to further reflect on the TB system’s future and to develop innovative proposals and solutions without weakening the human rights protection the TB system currently affords.

The Geneva Academy has initiated in 2015 a global academic process to develop proposals in this regard. Input was gathered via regional consultations, thematic conferences, and continued engagement with TB members, states, National Human Rights Institutions and civil society and individual submissions by all stakeholders.

OPENING REMARKS

  • Ambassador Valentin Zellweger, Permanent Representative of Switzerland to the United Nations in Geneva
  • Ambassador Elayne Whyte, Permanent Representative of Costa Rica to the United Nations in Geneva

PRESENTATION OF THE GENEVA ACADEMY REPORT

  • Kamelia Kemileva, Executive Manager, Geneva Academy
  • Felix Kirchmeier, Director of Policy Studies, Geneva Academy

REMARKS FROM CIVIL SOCIETY

  • Victor Rodriguez Rescia, CCPR-Centre / TB-Net

REMARKS FROM OHCHR

  • Ibrahim Salama, OHCHR

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Felix Kirchmeier and Kamelia Kemileva present our new publication Optimizing the UN Treaty Bodies System which outlines a series of recommendations related to the functioning o United Nations treaty bodies, considered a cornerstone of universal #humanrights protection.

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