In two new joint proposals, NGOs are calling on States to provide sufficient funding for the UN treaty bodies and proposing a model for enhanced predictability and coordination of treaty body reviews.

The first call urges States to fulfil their obligations as set out in General Assembly resolution 68/268 and provide adequate funding to the treaty bodies so that they can function effectively in accordance with their mandates. UN member states must provide adequate resources for all aspects of the treaty bodies’ work, including the budgetary support that has not been provided since 2017. 

A second joint NGO call proposes that treaty bodies should enhance the regularity, predictability and universality of states parties periodic reviews, with the introduction of a fixed calendar with full reviews followed by focused reviews after four years, for all treaty bodies. The Proposal is the outcome of a process of civil society consultation, including with regional and national NGOs, initiated by TB-Net (the NGO network on UN human rights treaty bodies) and ISHR. It builds on the model put forward by the treaty body Chairs and emphasises the importance of treaty bodies working as one system.

The Joint NGO Proposal suggests that treaty bodies could schedule their periodic reviews of States in a coordinated way, and introduce a two level review cycle with regular full reviews in Geneva every eight years, followed by focused reviews on a limited number of recommendations, after four years.

The Proposal aims to contribute to the discussions about strengthening the treaty body system, which has been under stress for some years now due to a heavy workload and decreasing resources. Civil society highlight that the ultimate objective of any reforms must be to strengthen the promotion, protection and realisation of human rights on the ground.