GHRP Briefings

From November 2021 to February 2022, on Fridays from (14:30–16:30), the following discussions allowed members of UN treaty bodies (TBs), experts, diplomats and civil society to address crucial issues related to the work of TBS. These were based on specific recommendations contained in the Swiss-Moroccan co-facilitator report of the 2020 review process, presented to the General Assembly, as well as the report of the 33rd TB Chairperson meeting of 2021.

Harmonized COVID Working Methods, Friday 12 November 2021

This GHRP Friday allowed TB members to report back on their experiences and to discuss lessons for a post-COVID setting. They notably addressed the following questions what elements of online work could be taken over into regular TB work; what was the experience of states engaging with TBs during the online sessions?; what were the most prominent constraints?.

Predictable Review Schedule, Friday 26 November 2021

The current irregular and incoherent schedule of reviews across the system constitutes a major issue for the visibility of the TB system, the coherence of its outputs, and the encouragement for timely and full cooperation. Suggestions for a master calendar have been made and turned down for various reasons while the problem only aggravated. A new push for a comprehensive fixed calendar by TBs brings new dynamics into the discussion. This GHRP Friday discussed calendars in place and possibilities to synchronize reporting schedules of all TBs, moving thus towards a 100 percent reporting compliance rate and meaningful possibilities for follow-up and mutual reinforcement.

Nominations, Elections and Membership, Friday 3 December 2021

Transparency is considered a key element in the nomination and election process of TB members. Many states have started inclusive processes of national nominations, NGOs lead a transparency initiative involving all candidates and there are also parallels to be drawn from nomination processes in place for other international judicial or quasi-judicial bodies. This GHRP Friday focused on good practices and potential modalities to be introduced globally in the nomination and election process for new TB members. It notably discussed our Working Paper Promoting Quality, Independent and Diverse Treaty Body Membership.

Digital Shift / Digital Uplift, Friday 21 January 2022

Working methods inside the TB system/secretariat are not up to speed with contemporary standards and potential IT or AI-based solutions can offer. Efforts are underway in specific areas of work, and an office-wide discussion on a digital uplift is taking place. This GHRP Friday provided an opportunity for the OHCHR task force on digitalization to share progress and plans.