FOREWORD ............................................... xix
INTRODUCTION ............................................. 1
PART I.
THE COMMITTEES ........................................... 7
CHAPTER 1. COMMITTEE ON THE ELIMINATION OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION (CERD) .................................... 9
A. Legal Basis and Rules of Procedure .................... 9
B. Composition ........................................... 9
1. Number of Members ................................. 9
2. Nomination and Election of Members ............... 10
3. Term of Office ................................... 10
4. Geographical Distribution ........................ 11
5. Expertise, Impartiality an Independence .......... 12
c. Functioning .......................................... 13
1. Meeting Scheme and Venue ......................... 13
2. Finance and Servicing ............................ 14
3. Internal Organization and Decision-Making ........ 15
4. Cooperation and Sources of Information ........... 15
a. States parties ............................... 16
b. Specialized Agencies and Other UN Bodies ..... 16
c. Non-Governmental Organizations ............... 17
c. Type of Organ ........................................ 18
CHAPTER 2. HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE (HRC) ................. 19
A. Legal Basis and Rules of Procedure ................... 19
B. Composition .......................................... 20
1. Number of Members ................................ 20
2. Nomination and Election of Members................ 21
3. Term of Office ................................... 22
4. geographical Distribution ........................ 22
5. Expertise, Impartiality and Imdependence ......... 23
C. Funcioning ........................................... 24
1. Meeting Scheme and Venue ......................... 24
2. Finance and Servicing ............................ 25
3. Internal Organization and Decision-Making ........ 25
4. Cooperation and Sources of Information ........... 27
a. States parties ............................... 27
b. Specialized Agencies and other UN bodies ..... 27
c. Non-Governmental Organizations ............... 28
D. Type of Organ ........................................ 29
CHAPTER 3. COMMITTEE ON THE ELIMINATION OF DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN (CEDAW COMMITTEE) .......... 31
A. Legal Basis and Rules of Procedure ................... 31
B. Composition........................................... 31
1. Number of Members ................................ 31
2. Nomination and Election of Members ............... 32
3. Term of Office ................................... 32
4. Geographical Distribution ........................ 32
5. Expertise, Impartiality and Independence ......... 33
C. Functioning .......................................... 33
1. Meeting Scheme and Venue ......................... 33
2. finance and Servicing ............................ 34
3. Internal Organization and Decision-Making ........ 35
4. Cooperation and Sources of Information ........... 36
a. States parties ............................... 36
b. Specialized Agencies and Other UN Bodies ..... 36
c. Non-Governmental Organizations ............... 37
D. Type of Organ ........................................ 38
CHAPTER 4. COMMITTEE AGAINST TORTURE
(CAT COMMITTEE) ......................................... 39
A. Legal basis and Rules of Procedure ................... 39
B. Composition .......................................... 39
1. Number of Members ................................ 39
2. Nomination and Election of Members ............... 40
3. Term of Office ................................... 40
4. Geographical Distribution ........................ 41
5. Expertise, Impartiality and Independence ......... 41
C. Funcioning ........................................... 42
1. Meeting Scheme and Benue ......................... 42
2. Finance and Servicing ............................ 43
3. Internal Organization and Decision-Making ........ 43
4. Cooperation and Sources of Information ........... 44
a. States Parties ............................... 44
b. Specialized Agencies and Other UN Bodies ..... 46
c. Non-Governmental Organizations ............... 46
D. Type of Organ ........................................ 46
CHAPTER 5. COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RIGHTS (ESCR COMMITTEE) .................... 47
A. Legal Basis and Rules of Procedure ................... 47
B. Composition .......................................... 47
1. Number of Members ................................ 47
2. Nomination and Election of Members ............... 48
3. Term of Office ................................... 48
4. Geographical Distribution ........................ 48
5. Expertise, Impartiality and Independence ......... 49
C. Functioning .......................................... 50
1. Meeting Scheme and Venur ......................... 50
2. Finance and Servicing ............................ 50
3. Term of Office ................................... 51
4. Cooperation and Sources of Information ........... 51
a. States parties ............................... 51
b. specialized Agencies and Other UN Bodies ..... 51
c. Non-Governmental Organizations ............... 53
D. Type of Organ ........................................ 54
CHAPTER 6. COMMITTEE ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD
(CRC COMMITTEE) ......................................... 55
A. Legal Basis and Rules of Procedure ................... 55
B. Composition .......................................... 55
1. Number of Members ................................ 55
2. Nomination and Election of Members ............... 56
3. Geographical Distribution ........................ 56
4. Term of office ................................... 57
5. Expertise, Impartiality and Independence ......... 57
c. Functioning .......................................... 58
1. Meeting Scheme and Venue ......................... 58
2. Finance and Servicing ............................ 58
3. Internal Organization and decision-Marking ....... 59
4. Cooperation and Sources of Information ........... 59
a. States parties ............................... 59
b. Specialised Agencies and Other UN Bodies ..... 59
c. Non-Governmental Organizations ............... 61
D. Type of Organ ........................................ 62
CHAPTER 7. COMMITTEE ON THE PROTECTION OF THE RIGHTS OF ALL MIGRANT WORKERS AND MEMBERS OF THEIR FAMILIES (CMW COMMITTEE) ..................... 63
A. Legal Basis and Rules of procedure ......................... 63
b. Composition ................................................ 63
1. Number of Menbers ...................................... 63
2. Nomination and Election of Members ..................... 63
3. Term of Office ......................................... 64
4. Geographical Distribution .............................. 64
5. Expertise, Impartiality and Independence ............... 65
C. Functioning ................................................ 65
1. Meeting Scheme and Venue ............................... 65
2. Finance and Servicing .................................. 65
3. Internal Organization and Decision-making .............. 65
4. Cooperation and Sources of Information ................. 66
D. Type of Organ .............................................. 66
CHAPTER 8. CONCLUSIONS ........................................ 67
A. legal Basis and Rules of procedure ......................... 67
B. Composition ................................................ 67
1. Number of Members ...................................... 67
2. Nomination and Election of Members ..................... 67
3. Term of Office ......................................... 69
4. Geographical Distribution .............................. 69
5. Expertise, Impartiality and Independence of Members .... 69
C. Functioning ................................................ 70
1. Meeting Scheme and Venue ............................... 70
2. Finance and Servicing .................................. 70
3. Internal Organization and Decision-Making .............. 71
4. cooperation and Sources of Information ................. 71
a. States Parties ..................................... 72
b. Specialised Agencies and other UN Bodies ........... 72
c. Non-Governmental Organizations ..................... 72
D. Type of Organ .............................................. 73
PATR II.
REPORTING PROCEDURE ........................................... 75
CHAPTER 1. COMMITTEE ON THE ELIMINATION OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION ......................................... 77
A. Guidelines for Reporting ................................... 77
B. periodicity ................................................ 77
c. processing of Reports ...................................... 78
1. Scheduling process and Backlog of Reports .............. 78
2. Sources of Information ................................. 78
3. Rapporteurs and Working Groups ......................... 79
4. Consideration .......................................... 80
5. Condluding Observations ................................ 81
6. Follow-Up .............................................. 82
D. Unsatisfactory Reporting ................................... 82
E. Overdue Reporting and Lack of Reporting .................... 83
F. Nature of the procedure .................................... 84
CHAPTER 2. HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE ............................. 87
A. Guidelines for Reporting ................................... 87
B. perodicity ................................................. 88
C. processing of Reports ...................................... 89
1. Scheduling process and Backlog of Reports .............. 90
2. Sources of Information ................................. 90
3. Rapporteurs and Working Groups ......................... 92
4. Consideration .......................................... 94
5. Concluding Observations ................................ 96
6. Follow-Up .............................................. 98
D. Unsatisfactory Reporting .................................. 100
E. Overdue Reports and Lack of Reporting ..................... 100
F. Nature of the procedure ................................... 102
CHAPTER 3. COMMITTEE ON THE ELIMINATION
OF DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN .............................. 105
A. Guidelines for Reporting .................................. 105
B. Periodicity ............................................... 105
C. processing of Reports ..................................... 106
1. Scheduling Process and Backlog of Reports ............. 106
2. Sources of Information ................................ 107
3. Rapporteurs and Working Groups ........................ 108
4. Consideration ......................................... 110
5. Concluding Observations ............................... 112
6. Follow-Up ............................................. 113
D. Unsatisfactory Reporting .................................. 114
E. Overdue Reports and Lack of Reporting ..................... 114
F. Nature of the procedure ................................... 115
CHAPTER 4. COMMITTEE AGAINST TORTURE ......................... 117
A. Guidelines for Reporting .................................. 117
B. periodicity ............................................... 117
C. processing of Reports ..................................... 118
1. Scheduling Process and Backlog of Reports ............. 118
2. Sources of Information ................................ 118
3. Rapporteurs and Working Groups ........................ 119
4. Consideration ......................................... 119
5. concluding Observations ............................... 120
6. Follow-Up ............................................. 122
D. Unsatisfactory Reporting .................................. 122
E. Overdue Reports and Lack of Reporting ..................... 122
F. Nature of the procedure ................................... 124
CHAPTER 5. COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RIGHTS .............................................. 125
A. Guidelines for Reporting .................................. 125
B. periodicity ............................................... 126
c. Processing of Reports ..................................... 126
1. Scheduling Process and Backlog of Reports ............. 126
2. Soruces of Information ................................ 127
3. rapporteurs and Working Groups ........................ 129
4. consideration ......................................... 131
5. Concluding Observations ............................... 134
6. Follow-Up ............................................. 135
D. Unsatisfactory Reporting .................................. 137
E. Overdue Reports and Lack of Reporting ..................... 137
F. Nature of the procedure ................................... 139
CHAPTER 6. COMMITTEE ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD .............. 141
A. Guidelines for Reporting .................................. 141
B. periodicity ............................................... 142
C. processing of Reports ..................................... 143
1. Scheduling process and Backlog of Reports ............. 143
2. Sources of Information ................................ 144
3. Rapporteurs and Working Groups ........................ 145
4. consideration ......................................... 147
5. concluding Observations ............................... 148
6. Follow-Up ............................................. 149
D. Unsatisfactory Reporting .................................. 149
E. Ovedue Reports and Lack of Reporting ...................... 150
F. Nature of the Procedure ................................... 150
CHAPTER 7. COMMITTEE ON THE PROTECTION OF THE RIGHTS OF ALL MIGRANT WORKERS AND MEMBERS OF THEIR FAMILIES .................................... 151
A. Guidelines for Reporting .................................. 151
B. periodicity ............................................... 151
C. processing of Reports ..................................... 151
D. Unsatisfactory Reporting .................................. 151
E. Overdur Reports and Lack of Reporting ..................... 152
F. Nature of the procedure ................................... 152
CHAPTER 8. CONCLUSIONS ....................................... 153
A. Guidelines for Reporting .................................. 153
B. Periodicity ............................................... 155
C. processing of Reports ..................................... 155
1. Scheduling Process and Backlog of Reports ............. 155
2. Sources of Information ................................ 156
3. Rapporteurs and Working Groups ........................ 156
4. consideration ......................................... 157
5. Concluding Observations ............................... 158
6. Follow-Up ............................................. 159
D. Unsatisfactory Reporting .................................. 160
E. Overdue Reports and Lack of Reporting ..................... 160
F. Nature of the Procedure ................................... 161
PART III.
OTHERACTIVITIES CLOSELY RELATED TO THE REPORTING PROCEDURE .......................................... 163
CHAPTER 1. EMERGENCY AND EARLY WARNING
PROCEDURES ................................................... 165
A. Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination ..... 165
1. general ............................................... 165
2. Procedure ............................................. 165
3. Practice .............................................. 166
4. conclusions ........................................... 167
B. Human Rights Committee .................................... 168
1. General ............................................... 168
2. procedure ............................................. 168
3. Practice .............................................. 169
4. conclusions ........................................... 170
C. Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination
Against Women ............................................. 171
1. General ............................................... 171
2. Procedure ............................................. 171
3. Practice .............................................. 171
4. Conclusions ........................................... 172
D. Committee against Torture ................................. 172
E. Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights ......... 172
F. committee on the Rights of the Child ...................... 173
1. General ............................................... 173
2. procedure ............................................. 173
3. Practice .............................................. 174
G. Committee on the Protection of the Rights of all
Migrant Workers and Members of their Families ............. 174
H. Conclusions ............................................... 174
CHAPTER 2. GENERAL COMMENTS AND DAYS OF GENERAL DISCUSSION ........................................... 177
A. Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination ..... 177
1. Eeneral Recommendations ............................... 177
a. Legal Basis ....................................... 177
b. Number and Format ................................. 177
c. procedure ......................................... 178
2. Thematic Discussions .................................. 178
B. Human rights Committee .................................... 179
1. General comments ...................................... 179
a. Legal Basis ....................................... 179
b. Number and Format ................................. 180
c. procedure ......................................... 180
2. Days of Discussion .................................... 181
C. Committee on the Elinination of Discrimination
Against Women ............................................. 181
1. General Recommendations ............................... 181
a. Legal Basis ....................................... 181
b. Number and Format ................................. 182
c. Procedure ......................................... 182
2. General Discussions ................................... 183
D. Committee Against Torture ................................. 183
1. General Comments ...................................... 183
a. Legal Basis ....................................... 183
b. Number and Format ................................. 184
c. Procedure ......................................... 184
2. General Discussion .................................... 184
E. Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights ......... 184
1. General Comments ...................................... 184
a. Legal Basis ....................................... 185
b. Number and Format ................................. 185
c. procedure ......................................... 186
2. Days of General Discussion ............................ 187
F. committee on the Rights of the Child ...................... 187
1. General Comments ...................................... 187
a. Legal basis ....................................... 188
b. Number and Format ................................. 188
c. procedure ......................................... 189
2. days of General Discussion ............................ 189
G. Committee on the Protection of the Rights of all Migrant Workers and Members of their Families ............. 190
H. Conclusions ............................................... 190
1. General Comments and Recommendations .................. 190
a. Legal Basis ....................................... 191
b. Number and Format ................................. 191
c. Procedure ......................................... 191
2. Thematic Discussions .................................. 192
PART IV.
COMPLAINTS PROCEDURES ........................................ 193
CHAPTER 1. HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE ............................ 195
A. Generalities .............................................. 195
1. Legal Basis ........................................... 195
2. Number of Cases ....................................... 195
B. Characteristics of the procedure .......................... 196
C. Examination of Complaints ................................. 198
1. Registration .......................................... 199
2. Admissibility ......................................... 200
a. Procedure ......................................... 200
b. Conditions ........................................ 201
i. Admissibility ratione temporis .............. 202
ii. Admissibility ratione personae .............. 205
iii. Admissibility ratione loci .................. 210
iv. Exhaustion of Domestic remedies ............. 213
v. Time-Limit .................................. 220
vi. Prohibition of Duplication of procedures .... 221
vii. Other Admissibility Grounds ................. 225
3. Dedision on the Merits ................................ 228
4. Interim Measures ...................................... 230
5. Remedies .............................................. 233
6. Follow-Up ............................................. 237
7. Reconsideration of Decisions .......................... 241
CHAPTER 2. COMMITTEE ON THE ELIMINATION OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION ........................................ 243
A. Generalities .............................................. 243
1. Legal Basis ........................................... 243
2. Number of Cases ....................................... 243
B. Characteristics of the Procedure .......................... 243
C. Examination of Complaints ................................. 244
1. Registration .......................................... 245
2. Admissibility ......................................... 245
a. Procedure ......................................... 245
b. Admissibility Requirements ........................ 246
i. admissibility ratione personae .............. 246
ii. Exhaustion of Domestic Remedies ............. 247
iii. Time-Limit .................................. 248
iv. Prohibition of Duplication of Procedures .... 248
v. Other Grounds ............................... 249
3. Decision on the Merits ................................ 249
4. Interim Measures ...................................... 250
5. Remedies .............................................. 251
6. Follow-Up ............................................. 253
7. Reconsideration ....................................... 253
CHAPTER 3. COMMITTEE AGAINST TORTURE ......................... 255
A. Generalities .............................................. 255
1. Legal Basis ........................................... 255
2. Number of Cases ....................................... 255
B. Characteristics of the procedure .......................... 256
C. Examination of Complaints ................................. 258
1. Registration .......................................... 258
2. Admissibility ......................................... 258
a. Procedure ......................................... 258
b. Conditions ........................................ 259
i. Admissibility ratione temporis .............. 260
ii. Admissibility ratione personae .............. 260
iii. Exhaustion of Domestic Remedies ............. 261
iv. Time-Limit .................................. 262
v. Prohibition of Duplication of Procedures .... 262
vi. Other admissibility Grounds ................. 263
3. Decision on the Merits ................................ 265
4. Interim Measures ...................................... 266
5. remedies .............................................. 268
6. Follow-Up ............................................. 269
7. Reconsideration ....................................... 269
CHAPTER 4. COMMITTEE ON THE ELIMINATION OF DISCRIMINATIOM AGAINST WOMEN ................................. 271
A. Generalities .............................................. 271
1. Legal Basis ........................................... 271
2. Number of Cases ....................................... 271
B. Characteristics of the Procedure .......................... 272
C. Examination of complaints ................................. 273
1. Registration .......................................... 273
2. Admissibility ......................................... 273
a. Procedure ......................................... 273
b. Conditions ........................................ 274
i. Admissibility ratione temporis .............. 274
ii. Admissibility ratione personae .............. 275
iii. Admissibility ratione loci .................. 275
iv. Admissibility ratione materiae .............. 275
v. Time-Limit .................................. 276
vi. Exhaustion of Domestic Remedies ............. 276
vii. Prohibition of Duplication of Procedures .... 276
viii. Other Admissibility Grounds ................. 276
3. Edcision on the Merits ................................ 276
4. Interim Measures ...................................... 277
5. Remedies .............................................. 277
6. Follow-Up ............................................. 277
7. reconsideration ....................................... 278
CHAPTER 5. COMMITTEE ON THE PROTECTION OF THE RIGHTS OF ALL MIGRANT WORKERS AND MEMBERS OF THEIR FAMILIES .................................... 279
CHAPTER 6. COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RIGHTS .............................................. 281
CHAPTER 7. COMMITTEE ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD .............. 283
CHAPTER 8. CONCLUSIONS ....................................... 285
A. Generalities .............................................. 285
1. Legal Basis ........................................... 285
2. Number of Cases ....................................... 285
B. Characteristics of the procedure .......................... 286
C. Examination of Complaints ................................. 287
1. registration .......................................... 287
2. Admissibility ......................................... 287
a. Procedure ......................................... 287
b. Conditions ........................................ 289
i. Admissibility ratione temporis .............. 289
ii. Admissibility ratione personae .............. 289
iii. Exhaustion of Domestic Remedies ............. 290
iv. time-Limit .................................. 290
v. Prohibition of Duplication of procedures .... 291
vi. Other Grounds ............................... 291
3. Decision on the Metits ................................ 291
4. Interim Measures ...................................... 292
5. Remedies .............................................. 292
6. Follow-Up ............................................. 293
7. reconsideration ....................................... 293
PART V.
INQUIRY PROCEDURE ............................................ 295
CHAPTER 1. COMMITTEE AGAINST TORTURE ......................... 297
A. Legal Basis ............................................... 297
B. Procedure ................................................. 297
C. Practice .................................................. 300
CHAPTER 2. COMMITTEE ON THE ELIMINATION OF
DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN ................................. 303
A. Legal Basis ............................................... 303
B. Procedure ................................................. 303
C. Practice .................................................. 304
CHAPTER 3. CONCLUSIONS ....................................... 305
A. Legal Basis ............................................... 305
B. Procedure ................................................. 305
C. Practice .................................................. 305
GENERAL CONCLUSIONS .......................................... 307
A. Convergence and Common Principles of Procedural Law ....... 309
1. The Committees ........................................ 310
2. The Reporting Procedure ............................... 311
3. Procedures Prlated to the Reporting Procedure ......... 313
4. Individual Complaints Procedure ....................... 313
B. Factors Contributing to the Dynamics of Convergence
and Harmonization ......................................... 314
1. Progressive Development of the Human Rights Treaties .. 314
2. Attitude of the Committees ............................ 315
3. Influence of the Meetings of Chairpersons and the Inter-
Committee Meetings .................................... 317
a. Cooperation with UM Agencies and Bodies, and with
NGOs .............................................. 318
b. Independence and Impartiality of Committee
Members ........................................... 318
c. Reporting Guidelines .............................. 318
d. Consideration of Reports .......................... 319
e. Concludidng Observations .......................... 319
f. Lang Overdue Reports .............................. 320
g. Procedures Closely Related to the Reporting
Procedure ......................................... 320
4. Reform of the Secretatiat .............................. 322
5. Reform of the UN ....................................... 322
SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY ........................................ 325
INTRODUCTION ............................................. 1
PART I.
THE COMMITTEES ........................................... 7
CHAPTER 1. COMMITTEE ON THE ELIMINATION OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION (CERD) .................................... 9
A. Legal Basis and Rules of Procedure .................... 9
B. Composition ........................................... 9
1. Number of Members ................................. 9
2. Nomination and Election of Members ............... 10
3. Term of Office ................................... 10
4. Geographical Distribution ........................ 11
5. Expertise, Impartiality an Independence .......... 12
c. Functioning .......................................... 13
1. Meeting Scheme and Venue ......................... 13
2. Finance and Servicing ............................ 14
3. Internal Organization and Decision-Making ........ 15
4. Cooperation and Sources of Information ........... 15
a. States parties ............................... 16
b. Specialized Agencies and Other UN Bodies ..... 16
c. Non-Governmental Organizations ............... 17
c. Type of Organ ........................................ 18
CHAPTER 2. HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE (HRC) ................. 19
A. Legal Basis and Rules of Procedure ................... 19
B. Composition .......................................... 20
1. Number of Members ................................ 20
2. Nomination and Election of Members................ 21
3. Term of Office ................................... 22
4. geographical Distribution ........................ 22
5. Expertise, Impartiality and Imdependence ......... 23
C. Funcioning ........................................... 24
1. Meeting Scheme and Venue ......................... 24
2. Finance and Servicing ............................ 25
3. Internal Organization and Decision-Making ........ 25
4. Cooperation and Sources of Information ........... 27
a. States parties ............................... 27
b. Specialized Agencies and other UN bodies ..... 27
c. Non-Governmental Organizations ............... 28
D. Type of Organ ........................................ 29
CHAPTER 3. COMMITTEE ON THE ELIMINATION OF DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN (CEDAW COMMITTEE) .......... 31
A. Legal Basis and Rules of Procedure ................... 31
B. Composition........................................... 31
1. Number of Members ................................ 31
2. Nomination and Election of Members ............... 32
3. Term of Office ................................... 32
4. Geographical Distribution ........................ 32
5. Expertise, Impartiality and Independence ......... 33
C. Functioning .......................................... 33
1. Meeting Scheme and Venue ......................... 33
2. finance and Servicing ............................ 34
3. Internal Organization and Decision-Making ........ 35
4. Cooperation and Sources of Information ........... 36
a. States parties ............................... 36
b. Specialized Agencies and Other UN Bodies ..... 36
c. Non-Governmental Organizations ............... 37
D. Type of Organ ........................................ 38
CHAPTER 4. COMMITTEE AGAINST TORTURE
(CAT COMMITTEE) ......................................... 39
A. Legal basis and Rules of Procedure ................... 39
B. Composition .......................................... 39
1. Number of Members ................................ 39
2. Nomination and Election of Members ............... 40
3. Term of Office ................................... 40
4. Geographical Distribution ........................ 41
5. Expertise, Impartiality and Independence ......... 41
C. Funcioning ........................................... 42
1. Meeting Scheme and Benue ......................... 42
2. Finance and Servicing ............................ 43
3. Internal Organization and Decision-Making ........ 43
4. Cooperation and Sources of Information ........... 44
a. States Parties ............................... 44
b. Specialized Agencies and Other UN Bodies ..... 46
c. Non-Governmental Organizations ............... 46
D. Type of Organ ........................................ 46
CHAPTER 5. COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RIGHTS (ESCR COMMITTEE) .................... 47
A. Legal Basis and Rules of Procedure ................... 47
B. Composition .......................................... 47
1. Number of Members ................................ 47
2. Nomination and Election of Members ............... 48
3. Term of Office ................................... 48
4. Geographical Distribution ........................ 48
5. Expertise, Impartiality and Independence ......... 49
C. Functioning .......................................... 50
1. Meeting Scheme and Venur ......................... 50
2. Finance and Servicing ............................ 50
3. Term of Office ................................... 51
4. Cooperation and Sources of Information ........... 51
a. States parties ............................... 51
b. specialized Agencies and Other UN Bodies ..... 51
c. Non-Governmental Organizations ............... 53
D. Type of Organ ........................................ 54
CHAPTER 6. COMMITTEE ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD
(CRC COMMITTEE) ......................................... 55
A. Legal Basis and Rules of Procedure ................... 55
B. Composition .......................................... 55
1. Number of Members ................................ 55
2. Nomination and Election of Members ............... 56
3. Geographical Distribution ........................ 56
4. Term of office ................................... 57
5. Expertise, Impartiality and Independence ......... 57
c. Functioning .......................................... 58
1. Meeting Scheme and Venue ......................... 58
2. Finance and Servicing ............................ 58
3. Internal Organization and decision-Marking ....... 59
4. Cooperation and Sources of Information ........... 59
a. States parties ............................... 59
b. Specialised Agencies and Other UN Bodies ..... 59
c. Non-Governmental Organizations ............... 61
D. Type of Organ ........................................ 62
CHAPTER 7. COMMITTEE ON THE PROTECTION OF THE RIGHTS OF ALL MIGRANT WORKERS AND MEMBERS OF THEIR FAMILIES (CMW COMMITTEE) ..................... 63
A. Legal Basis and Rules of procedure ......................... 63
b. Composition ................................................ 63
1. Number of Menbers ...................................... 63
2. Nomination and Election of Members ..................... 63
3. Term of Office ......................................... 64
4. Geographical Distribution .............................. 64
5. Expertise, Impartiality and Independence ............... 65
C. Functioning ................................................ 65
1. Meeting Scheme and Venue ............................... 65
2. Finance and Servicing .................................. 65
3. Internal Organization and Decision-making .............. 65
4. Cooperation and Sources of Information ................. 66
D. Type of Organ .............................................. 66
CHAPTER 8. CONCLUSIONS ........................................ 67
A. legal Basis and Rules of procedure ......................... 67
B. Composition ................................................ 67
1. Number of Members ...................................... 67
2. Nomination and Election of Members ..................... 67
3. Term of Office ......................................... 69
4. Geographical Distribution .............................. 69
5. Expertise, Impartiality and Independence of Members .... 69
C. Functioning ................................................ 70
1. Meeting Scheme and Venue ............................... 70
2. Finance and Servicing .................................. 70
3. Internal Organization and Decision-Making .............. 71
4. cooperation and Sources of Information ................. 71
a. States Parties ..................................... 72
b. Specialised Agencies and other UN Bodies ........... 72
c. Non-Governmental Organizations ..................... 72
D. Type of Organ .............................................. 73
PATR II.
REPORTING PROCEDURE ........................................... 75
CHAPTER 1. COMMITTEE ON THE ELIMINATION OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION ......................................... 77
A. Guidelines for Reporting ................................... 77
B. periodicity ................................................ 77
c. processing of Reports ...................................... 78
1. Scheduling process and Backlog of Reports .............. 78
2. Sources of Information ................................. 78
3. Rapporteurs and Working Groups ......................... 79
4. Consideration .......................................... 80
5. Condluding Observations ................................ 81
6. Follow-Up .............................................. 82
D. Unsatisfactory Reporting ................................... 82
E. Overdue Reporting and Lack of Reporting .................... 83
F. Nature of the procedure .................................... 84
CHAPTER 2. HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE ............................. 87
A. Guidelines for Reporting ................................... 87
B. perodicity ................................................. 88
C. processing of Reports ...................................... 89
1. Scheduling process and Backlog of Reports .............. 90
2. Sources of Information ................................. 90
3. Rapporteurs and Working Groups ......................... 92
4. Consideration .......................................... 94
5. Concluding Observations ................................ 96
6. Follow-Up .............................................. 98
D. Unsatisfactory Reporting .................................. 100
E. Overdue Reports and Lack of Reporting ..................... 100
F. Nature of the procedure ................................... 102
CHAPTER 3. COMMITTEE ON THE ELIMINATION
OF DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN .............................. 105
A. Guidelines for Reporting .................................. 105
B. Periodicity ............................................... 105
C. processing of Reports ..................................... 106
1. Scheduling Process and Backlog of Reports ............. 106
2. Sources of Information ................................ 107
3. Rapporteurs and Working Groups ........................ 108
4. Consideration ......................................... 110
5. Concluding Observations ............................... 112
6. Follow-Up ............................................. 113
D. Unsatisfactory Reporting .................................. 114
E. Overdue Reports and Lack of Reporting ..................... 114
F. Nature of the procedure ................................... 115
CHAPTER 4. COMMITTEE AGAINST TORTURE ......................... 117
A. Guidelines for Reporting .................................. 117
B. periodicity ............................................... 117
C. processing of Reports ..................................... 118
1. Scheduling Process and Backlog of Reports ............. 118
2. Sources of Information ................................ 118
3. Rapporteurs and Working Groups ........................ 119
4. Consideration ......................................... 119
5. concluding Observations ............................... 120
6. Follow-Up ............................................. 122
D. Unsatisfactory Reporting .................................. 122
E. Overdue Reports and Lack of Reporting ..................... 122
F. Nature of the procedure ................................... 124
CHAPTER 5. COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RIGHTS .............................................. 125
A. Guidelines for Reporting .................................. 125
B. periodicity ............................................... 126
c. Processing of Reports ..................................... 126
1. Scheduling Process and Backlog of Reports ............. 126
2. Soruces of Information ................................ 127
3. rapporteurs and Working Groups ........................ 129
4. consideration ......................................... 131
5. Concluding Observations ............................... 134
6. Follow-Up ............................................. 135
D. Unsatisfactory Reporting .................................. 137
E. Overdue Reports and Lack of Reporting ..................... 137
F. Nature of the procedure ................................... 139
CHAPTER 6. COMMITTEE ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD .............. 141
A. Guidelines for Reporting .................................. 141
B. periodicity ............................................... 142
C. processing of Reports ..................................... 143
1. Scheduling process and Backlog of Reports ............. 143
2. Sources of Information ................................ 144
3. Rapporteurs and Working Groups ........................ 145
4. consideration ......................................... 147
5. concluding Observations ............................... 148
6. Follow-Up ............................................. 149
D. Unsatisfactory Reporting .................................. 149
E. Ovedue Reports and Lack of Reporting ...................... 150
F. Nature of the Procedure ................................... 150
CHAPTER 7. COMMITTEE ON THE PROTECTION OF THE RIGHTS OF ALL MIGRANT WORKERS AND MEMBERS OF THEIR FAMILIES .................................... 151
A. Guidelines for Reporting .................................. 151
B. periodicity ............................................... 151
C. processing of Reports ..................................... 151
D. Unsatisfactory Reporting .................................. 151
E. Overdur Reports and Lack of Reporting ..................... 152
F. Nature of the procedure ................................... 152
CHAPTER 8. CONCLUSIONS ....................................... 153
A. Guidelines for Reporting .................................. 153
B. Periodicity ............................................... 155
C. processing of Reports ..................................... 155
1. Scheduling Process and Backlog of Reports ............. 155
2. Sources of Information ................................ 156
3. Rapporteurs and Working Groups ........................ 156
4. consideration ......................................... 157
5. Concluding Observations ............................... 158
6. Follow-Up ............................................. 159
D. Unsatisfactory Reporting .................................. 160
E. Overdue Reports and Lack of Reporting ..................... 160
F. Nature of the Procedure ................................... 161
PART III.
OTHERACTIVITIES CLOSELY RELATED TO THE REPORTING PROCEDURE .......................................... 163
CHAPTER 1. EMERGENCY AND EARLY WARNING
PROCEDURES ................................................... 165
A. Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination ..... 165
1. general ............................................... 165
2. Procedure ............................................. 165
3. Practice .............................................. 166
4. conclusions ........................................... 167
B. Human Rights Committee .................................... 168
1. General ............................................... 168
2. procedure ............................................. 168
3. Practice .............................................. 169
4. conclusions ........................................... 170
C. Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination
Against Women ............................................. 171
1. General ............................................... 171
2. Procedure ............................................. 171
3. Practice .............................................. 171
4. Conclusions ........................................... 172
D. Committee against Torture ................................. 172
E. Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights ......... 172
F. committee on the Rights of the Child ...................... 173
1. General ............................................... 173
2. procedure ............................................. 173
3. Practice .............................................. 174
G. Committee on the Protection of the Rights of all
Migrant Workers and Members of their Families ............. 174
H. Conclusions ............................................... 174
CHAPTER 2. GENERAL COMMENTS AND DAYS OF GENERAL DISCUSSION ........................................... 177
A. Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination ..... 177
1. Eeneral Recommendations ............................... 177
a. Legal Basis ....................................... 177
b. Number and Format ................................. 177
c. procedure ......................................... 178
2. Thematic Discussions .................................. 178
B. Human rights Committee .................................... 179
1. General comments ...................................... 179
a. Legal Basis ....................................... 179
b. Number and Format ................................. 180
c. procedure ......................................... 180
2. Days of Discussion .................................... 181
C. Committee on the Elinination of Discrimination
Against Women ............................................. 181
1. General Recommendations ............................... 181
a. Legal Basis ....................................... 181
b. Number and Format ................................. 182
c. Procedure ......................................... 182
2. General Discussions ................................... 183
D. Committee Against Torture ................................. 183
1. General Comments ...................................... 183
a. Legal Basis ....................................... 183
b. Number and Format ................................. 184
c. Procedure ......................................... 184
2. General Discussion .................................... 184
E. Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights ......... 184
1. General Comments ...................................... 184
a. Legal Basis ....................................... 185
b. Number and Format ................................. 185
c. procedure ......................................... 186
2. Days of General Discussion ............................ 187
F. committee on the Rights of the Child ...................... 187
1. General Comments ...................................... 187
a. Legal basis ....................................... 188
b. Number and Format ................................. 188
c. procedure ......................................... 189
2. days of General Discussion ............................ 189
G. Committee on the Protection of the Rights of all Migrant Workers and Members of their Families ............. 190
H. Conclusions ............................................... 190
1. General Comments and Recommendations .................. 190
a. Legal Basis ....................................... 191
b. Number and Format ................................. 191
c. Procedure ......................................... 191
2. Thematic Discussions .................................. 192
PART IV.
COMPLAINTS PROCEDURES ........................................ 193
CHAPTER 1. HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE ............................ 195
A. Generalities .............................................. 195
1. Legal Basis ........................................... 195
2. Number of Cases ....................................... 195
B. Characteristics of the procedure .......................... 196
C. Examination of Complaints ................................. 198
1. Registration .......................................... 199
2. Admissibility ......................................... 200
a. Procedure ......................................... 200
b. Conditions ........................................ 201
i. Admissibility ratione temporis .............. 202
ii. Admissibility ratione personae .............. 205
iii. Admissibility ratione loci .................. 210
iv. Exhaustion of Domestic remedies ............. 213
v. Time-Limit .................................. 220
vi. Prohibition of Duplication of procedures .... 221
vii. Other Admissibility Grounds ................. 225
3. Dedision on the Merits ................................ 228
4. Interim Measures ...................................... 230
5. Remedies .............................................. 233
6. Follow-Up ............................................. 237
7. Reconsideration of Decisions .......................... 241
CHAPTER 2. COMMITTEE ON THE ELIMINATION OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION ........................................ 243
A. Generalities .............................................. 243
1. Legal Basis ........................................... 243
2. Number of Cases ....................................... 243
B. Characteristics of the Procedure .......................... 243
C. Examination of Complaints ................................. 244
1. Registration .......................................... 245
2. Admissibility ......................................... 245
a. Procedure ......................................... 245
b. Admissibility Requirements ........................ 246
i. admissibility ratione personae .............. 246
ii. Exhaustion of Domestic Remedies ............. 247
iii. Time-Limit .................................. 248
iv. Prohibition of Duplication of Procedures .... 248
v. Other Grounds ............................... 249
3. Decision on the Merits ................................ 249
4. Interim Measures ...................................... 250
5. Remedies .............................................. 251
6. Follow-Up ............................................. 253
7. Reconsideration ....................................... 253
CHAPTER 3. COMMITTEE AGAINST TORTURE ......................... 255
A. Generalities .............................................. 255
1. Legal Basis ........................................... 255
2. Number of Cases ....................................... 255
B. Characteristics of the procedure .......................... 256
C. Examination of Complaints ................................. 258
1. Registration .......................................... 258
2. Admissibility ......................................... 258
a. Procedure ......................................... 258
b. Conditions ........................................ 259
i. Admissibility ratione temporis .............. 260
ii. Admissibility ratione personae .............. 260
iii. Exhaustion of Domestic Remedies ............. 261
iv. Time-Limit .................................. 262
v. Prohibition of Duplication of Procedures .... 262
vi. Other admissibility Grounds ................. 263
3. Decision on the Merits ................................ 265
4. Interim Measures ...................................... 266
5. remedies .............................................. 268
6. Follow-Up ............................................. 269
7. Reconsideration ....................................... 269
CHAPTER 4. COMMITTEE ON THE ELIMINATION OF DISCRIMINATIOM AGAINST WOMEN ................................. 271
A. Generalities .............................................. 271
1. Legal Basis ........................................... 271
2. Number of Cases ....................................... 271
B. Characteristics of the Procedure .......................... 272
C. Examination of complaints ................................. 273
1. Registration .......................................... 273
2. Admissibility ......................................... 273
a. Procedure ......................................... 273
b. Conditions ........................................ 274
i. Admissibility ratione temporis .............. 274
ii. Admissibility ratione personae .............. 275
iii. Admissibility ratione loci .................. 275
iv. Admissibility ratione materiae .............. 275
v. Time-Limit .................................. 276
vi. Exhaustion of Domestic Remedies ............. 276
vii. Prohibition of Duplication of Procedures .... 276
viii. Other Admissibility Grounds ................. 276
3. Edcision on the Merits ................................ 276
4. Interim Measures ...................................... 277
5. Remedies .............................................. 277
6. Follow-Up ............................................. 277
7. reconsideration ....................................... 278
CHAPTER 5. COMMITTEE ON THE PROTECTION OF THE RIGHTS OF ALL MIGRANT WORKERS AND MEMBERS OF THEIR FAMILIES .................................... 279
CHAPTER 6. COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RIGHTS .............................................. 281
CHAPTER 7. COMMITTEE ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD .............. 283
CHAPTER 8. CONCLUSIONS ....................................... 285
A. Generalities .............................................. 285
1. Legal Basis ........................................... 285
2. Number of Cases ....................................... 285
B. Characteristics of the procedure .......................... 286
C. Examination of Complaints ................................. 287
1. registration .......................................... 287
2. Admissibility ......................................... 287
a. Procedure ......................................... 287
b. Conditions ........................................ 289
i. Admissibility ratione temporis .............. 289
ii. Admissibility ratione personae .............. 289
iii. Exhaustion of Domestic Remedies ............. 290
iv. time-Limit .................................. 290
v. Prohibition of Duplication of procedures .... 291
vi. Other Grounds ............................... 291
3. Decision on the Metits ................................ 291
4. Interim Measures ...................................... 292
5. Remedies .............................................. 292
6. Follow-Up ............................................. 293
7. reconsideration ....................................... 293
PART V.
INQUIRY PROCEDURE ............................................ 295
CHAPTER 1. COMMITTEE AGAINST TORTURE ......................... 297
A. Legal Basis ............................................... 297
B. Procedure ................................................. 297
C. Practice .................................................. 300
CHAPTER 2. COMMITTEE ON THE ELIMINATION OF
DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN ................................. 303
A. Legal Basis ............................................... 303
B. Procedure ................................................. 303
C. Practice .................................................. 304
CHAPTER 3. CONCLUSIONS ....................................... 305
A. Legal Basis ............................................... 305
B. Procedure ................................................. 305
C. Practice .................................................. 305
GENERAL CONCLUSIONS .......................................... 307
A. Convergence and Common Principles of Procedural Law ....... 309
1. The Committees ........................................ 310
2. The Reporting Procedure ............................... 311
3. Procedures Prlated to the Reporting Procedure ......... 313
4. Individual Complaints Procedure ....................... 313
B. Factors Contributing to the Dynamics of Convergence
and Harmonization ......................................... 314
1. Progressive Development of the Human Rights Treaties .. 314
2. Attitude of the Committees ............................ 315
3. Influence of the Meetings of Chairpersons and the Inter-
Committee Meetings .................................... 317
a. Cooperation with UM Agencies and Bodies, and with
NGOs .............................................. 318
b. Independence and Impartiality of Committee
Members ........................................... 318
c. Reporting Guidelines .............................. 318
d. Consideration of Reports .......................... 319
e. Concludidng Observations .......................... 319
f. Lang Overdue Reports .............................. 320
g. Procedures Closely Related to the Reporting
Procedure ......................................... 320
4. Reform of the Secretatiat .............................. 322
5. Reform of the UN ....................................... 322
SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY ........................................ 325