IRCT [to 3 May 2014]

IRCT in Geneva
IRCT welcomes modest steps in reform of UN treaty body system and encourages vigorous implementation efforts
29 April 2014
On 10 April 2014, the UN General Assembly concluded an almost 5 year long process to reform the UN treaty body system, including the Committee against Torture.
While the result was below expectations, the IRCT welcomes the important improvements to the functioning of the treaty body system initiated by this reform. Among the most noticeable gains are the increased resourcing of the treaty bodies allowing them to perform their mandate more efficiently; the decision to webcast all public meetings of the treaty bodies thus increasing transparency of their work at the national level; and the increased focus on capacity building in relation to reporting and implementation of treaty body recommendations.
From the beginning of the process, the IRCT has been one of the leading organisations in promoting a constructive reform with a specific focus on increasing transparency and accessibility for civil society and victims of human rights violations at the national level.
The IRCT is pleased to see that several of our concrete recommendations, especially the webcasting of all public meetings, have been included in the final reform document. However, it is concerned to see that initiatives to promote national implementation of treaty obligations, our other key priority, has been largely left unaddressed.
“For years, the treaty body system has been suffering from a lack of funding and effective engagement with national stakeholders. This reform takes a first step toward addressing these shortcomings and it is now up to all those working with the treaty bodies to ensure these words become reality. In addition, we must all focus on bringing to life those many unaddressed proposals seeking to improve implementation at the national level and to make the treaty bodies more accessible and relevant to rights holders,” said Asger Kjaerum, Head of the Geneva Liaison Office.

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