A/HRC/22/21 United Nations General Assembly Distr.: General 6 December 2012 Original: English Human Rights Council Twenty-second session Agenda item 2 Annual report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and reports of the Office of the High Commissioner and the Secretary-General Report of the Secretary-General on measures taken to implement resolution 9/8 and obstacles to its implementation, including recommendations for further improving the effectiveness of, harmonizing and reforming the treaty body system Summary In its resolution 9/8 on the effective implementation of international human rights instruments, the Human Rights Council requested the Secretary-General to report annually on measures taken to implement resolution 9/8 and on obstacles to its implementation, including recommendations for further improving the effectiveness of, harmonizing, and reforming the treaty body system. The present report briefly highlights the most recent developments in this regard. Chapter I of the report provides information on the activities that the treaty bodies have undertaken in 2012, including the number of State party reports considered and individual communications examined, and the latest developments in their working methods. Additional activities undertaken are also described. Chapter II provides an update on events in 2012 in relation to the treaty body strengthening process. GE.12-18584