Submitted by crinadmin on
Summary: Over the last 2 years, the UNSG made numerous requests for treaty bodies to consolidate their work. In May 03, the High Commissioner for Human Rights proposed that "means must be found to consolidate the work of the 7 treaty bodies and to create a unified standing treaty body." OHCHR is currently conducting an online debate in order to develop a concept paper for a unified treaty body. The NGO Group for the CRC has expressed its concern to the High Commissioner about this proposal and urges other NGOs to express their views through the on line debate or directly to the High Commissioner.
10 November 2005 Ms. Louise Arbour United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights United Nations – Palais Wilson 1211 Geneva 10 Dear Ms. Arbour, Over the last several years, the NGO Group for the Convention on the Rights of the Child has closely followed the issue of treaty body reform. We participated in the 2003 Malbun meeting, have actively followed the inter-Committee meetings and have commented on the draft guidelines on an expanded core document. In all our written and oral statements, we have focused on reforms which would support the fullest possible implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and welcomed any streamlining that could ensure that the reporting process remains strong and vibrant. We are extremely concerned, however, about your proposal to create a unified standing treaty body. Although much has been written and discussed about the weaknesses in the current system and the need to strengthen the system, the OHCHR Plan of Action moved rapidly past the Secretary General’s idea of the treaty bodies "functioning as a unified system" to consolidation of the treaty bodies themselves. The NGO Group was astounded to learn that the on-line debate and the subsequent concept paper intend to focus on the form and functions of a unified standing treaty body rather than on whether or not a standing treaty body is the best solution to strengthen the treaty body system from the perspective of rights holders. As a network that focuses on children, we are obviously concerned about any proposed consolidation that may result in a loss of focus on children and their rights. In addition, the NGO Group fears that consolidation may have a negative impact on the vibrant national process that has contributed greatly to building momentum and visibility around children’s rights issues and in ensuring fuller implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. You suggest that the goal of any treaty body reform must be "to enhance the protection of rights holders". The case has certainly not been made as to how a unified standing treaty body will enhance the protection of children as rights holders. The NGO Group urges the High Commissioner to use the concept paper to set out first the identified problems with the current system which need to be addressed and then invite a full debate on possible solutions, which could include formation of a unified standing treaty body as one option. Sincerely, Agneta Ucko Chairperson NGO Group for the Convention on the Rights of the Child ------------------------------ For more information about the UN reform see: The OHCHR online debate; Read a letter submitted by a grouping of New York NGOs regarding the Human Rights Council; More on the UN reform in general on our CHR News page.