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The Annual Meeting of Chairpersons of the human rights treaties allows for the chairpersons of the nine treaty bodies (Human Rights Committee, Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, Committee on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women, Committee against Torture, Committee on the Rights of the Child, Committee on Migrant Workers, Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Subcommittee on the Prevention of Torture)to meet in order to discuss the coordination of their activities and the enhancement of the work of the treaty bodies as a whole, including the streamlining of reporting procedures and guidelines, harmonisation of working methods, strengthening of communications, follow-up to World Conferences,financial and other matters. Since 1999 the chairpersons have also convened during the Annual Meeting a meeting with the special procedures mandate holders. The discussions have focused on technical questions, such as increasing the exchange of information between treaty bodies and special procedures. Substantive issues such as counter terrorism and human rights have also been addressed.
The same issues of harmonisation of working methods and streamlining of reporting procedures and guidelines are discussed during the Inter-Committee Meeting (ICM) of human rights treaty bodies, which meets twice a year (in June/July prior to the meeting of Chairpersons and in December). Consisting of the chairpersons plus two additional members from each of the Committees, the Inter-Committee Meeting also discusses thematic issues of general concern. Previously, the ICM held a formal session with NGOs as part of its programme and since December 2008 has allowed for NGOs to participate in discussion on all issues. The ICM is also expected to make recommendations to improve the working methods of the treaty bodies.
Bi-annual meetings
Prior to 2008, the Annual Meeting of Chairpersons of the Human Rights Treaty Bodies allowed for the Chairpersons of all the treaty bodies to meet in order to discuss coordination of their activities and the enhancement of the work of the treaty bodies as a whole, including the streamlining of reporting procedures and guidelines, harmonisation of working methods, strengthening of communications, financial and other matters. Informal consultations with State parties and civil society were also held in the past.
At the 6th Inter-Committee Meeting held in Geneva from 18 to 20 June 2007, it was decided that the Chairpersons and the Inter-Committee meetings would be combined and convene twice a year, as many Committee members were of the view that it was a ‘useful forum for discussing matters of mutual concern’, requiring more frequent attention and follow-up.
Further reading
ISHR reports on the Inter-Committee and Chairpersons meetings are available under the Treaty Body Monitor.
For more information, see also OHCHR.
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