A/HRC/25/22
(c)
Follow as closely as possible the periodicity provided for in the treaties so as
not to prejudice the legal reporting obligations of States parties;
(d)
Non-reporting should be an exception and not the norm, and the calendar
should not be permissive as regards non-reporting;
(e)
Assembly.
Eliminate backlogs and ad hoc requests for meeting time to the General
49.
The chairpersons expressed their commitment to continue to align the working
methods of the treaty bodies and decided to discuss the possibility of a common format for
concluding observations and the possible alignment of the methodology for the interactive
dialogue at their twenty-sixth meeting to be held in June 2014. They reiterated the
recommendation made at their twenty-fourth meeting to adopt measures on working
methods and procedural matters that were common across the treaty body system and that
had previously been discussed within each committee. They agreed that such measures
should be implemented by all the treaty bodies, unless a committee subsequently
dissociated itself therefrom. They also reaffirmed their role in facilitating representation
and coordination of common activities, such as consideration and adoption of joint
statements, while respecting the autonomy and specificity of each treaty body.
50.
The chairpersons affirmed their commitment to promote positive consideration of
the recommendations contained in the report of the High Commissioner on strengthening
the treaty body system, stressing that implementation should be collaborative and
recommending that each treaty body annually update the meeting of chairpersons on
progress made. They further recommended that the secretariat produce and regularly update
an implementation report to enable the meeting of chairpersons to better review progress,
bearing in mind that treaty body strengthening is an ongoing process. To that effect, the
chairpersons decided to include treaty body strengthening and consideration of the
recommendations contained in the report of the High Commissioner on the agenda of the
next meeting.
51.
The chairpersons also expressed deep concern over late and non-reporting by a
number of States parties, and recommended that the secretariat post regular updates on late
and non-reporting by States parties on the OHCHR website. They decided to include this
topic as a standing item on the agenda of the meeting of chairpersons.
52.
Finally, the chairpersons decided that their next meeting would focus on treaty body
strengthening; late and non-reporting of States parties; and harmonization of working
methods.
IV.
Other developments relevant to Human Rights Council
resolution 9/8
53.
In 2013, a total of 43 new ratifications and accessions (compared to 70 in 2012)
were deposited with the Secretary-General, bringing the total to 2,192 ratifications of and
accessions to international human rights treaties and protocols, as well as acceptance of
treaty provisions relating to individual communication procedures.
54.
Also, 75 weeks of treaty body sessions were held in 2013, during which 135 States
parties were reviewed. Treaty bodies with a State party reporting procedure received a total
of 96 State party reports, including 12 common core documents. The Committee on
Economic, Social and Cultural Rights made headway with the reporting backlog with an
additional week of meeting time. However, as at 1 December 2013, over 300 State party
reports were pending consideration. Engagement of civil society and other stakeholders is
well established and the treaty bodies receive more than 1,000 written submissions from
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