The Treaty Body Members Platform in 2021: A New 2.0 Version

7 February 2022

The Treaty Body Members Platform (TBMP), an initiative of the Geneva Human Rights Platform, connects experts in United Nations (UN) treaty bodies (TBs) with each other as well as with Geneva-based practitioners, academics and diplomats to share expertise, exchange views on topical questions and develop synergies.

Over the last years, the TBMP also focused on linking members of UN TBs with UN Special Procedures mandate holders to share expertise, approaches and exchange around specific thematic issues.

‘These mechanisms are two main pillars of the international human rights protection system. They often address the same issues and questions and it is crucial that they exchange around their respective approaches, challenges and decisions’ says Felix Kirchmeier, Executive Director of the Geneva Human Rights Platform.

Despite the difficult situation related to the Covid-19 pandemic and restrictions for in-person gatherings, six meetings took place in 2021, varying in shape and format to continuously adapt to the sanitary situation and a fluctuating presence of UN TB members in Geneva.

Most focused on the issue of enforced disappearance due to the 10th anniversary of the entry into force of the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearances. They included a private retreat for members of the UN Committee on Enforced Disappearances (CED), exchanges between this Committee and members of other UN mechanisms – for instance the UN Working Group on Enforced and Involuntary Disappearances and the UN Committee on Migrant Workers on the disappearance of migrants.

These were informed by two publications. The Work of the Committee on Enforced Disappearances takes stock of what the CED has achieved and details its jurisprudence as it stands today. Preventing and Addressing Enforced Disappearances in the Context of International Migration – The Contribution of International Human Rights Mechanisms analyses the contribution of international human rights mechanisms in preventing and addressing enforced disappearances in the context of international migration.

Other thematic TBMP meetings focused on the links between international human rights law and international humanitarian law, notably in the context of the work of the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, as well as again with the CED in relation to the role of armed non-State actors in enforced disappearances.

The TBMP 2.0

In 2021, the GHRP developed and launched a new online tool for all UN TB members, the TBMP 2.0 online platform, a community of practice tool that allows for ongoing online cooperation and communication between TB members.

‘This online platform is exclusively accessible to TB members and the UN Committee Secretaries, to provide a private space for communication within and across all Committees. Its main features include live chats, media and document libraries and the creation of forums and discussion groups as needed’ explains Felix Kirchmeier.

‘The human rights treaty body system – consisting of 10 treaty bodies with similar mandates and functions regarding a total of 2,388 State parties to the treaties they oversee, and 172 elected experts from various countries – has been without a practical way to exchange information until the launch of this new online platform by the Geneva Human Rights Platform. This online tool offers us, as treaty body experts, valuable opportunities to interact online as a community of practice, consult each other, collaborate on tasks, connect to share news and information, and contribute material to a resource library. It’s now up to us, as members, to use this platform to enhance harmonization and coherence between our committees’ comments Marcia V. J. Kran OC, Member of the UN Human Rights Committee (2017–2024).

This new platform was presented to Committee members and Chairpersons via a series of online meetings to further tailor it to their needs and discuss strategic issues and priorities. It became available for use in September 2021.

MORE ON THIS THEMATIC AREA

GHRP Bologna Meeting News

Expert Roundtable Discusses Role of Local and Regional Governments in data collection for National Mechanisms

29 April 2024

The Geneva Human Rights Platform co-hosted an expert roundtable on 'Data Planning and Collection by National Mechanisms for Implementation, Reporting, and Follow-up', in Bologna, Italy.

Read more

Yemeni women live in the open after being displaced from their homes due to the war in Taiz News

New Publication Unpacks UN Human Rights Council's Potential Role in Preventing Climate-Induced Conflicts

29 January 2024

Our new Research Brief explores the potential role of the UN Human Rights Council as an actor in the prevention of climate-related conflicts, alongside other multilateral efforts within the UN system.

Read more

Digital Justice Event

Digital Bridges to Justice: Enhancing Human Rights and SDG Monitoring through Innovative Technologies

3 July 2024, 13:15-14:30

This panel discussion will showcase the transformative potential of digital technologies in monitoring and implementing SDG 16, its interlinkages with other SDGs, and UN human rights recommendations.

Read more

View of a session of the UN Human Rights Committee Training

The International Human Rights Standards and System: Monitoring and Implementation Strategies at the National Level

8-12 July 2024

This training course will delve into the means and mechanisms through which national actors can best coordinate their human rights monitoring and implementation efforts, enabling them to strategically navigate the UN human rights system and use the various mechanisms available in their day-to-day work.

Read more

Garment workersto receive food from their factory during lunch time. This food is freely provided by their factory in order to ensure that workers eat healthy and hygienic food. Training

Business and Human Rights

2-6 September 2024

This training course will examine how the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights have been utilized to advance the concept of business respect for human rights throughout the UN system, the impact of the Guiding Principles on other international organizations, as well as the impact of standards and guidance developed by these different bodies.

Read more

A session of the UN Human Rights Council Project

IHL Expert Pool

Started in January 2022

The IHL-EP works to strengthen the capacity of human rights mechanisms to incorporate IHL into their work in an efficacious and comprehensive manner. By so doing, it aims to address the normative and practical challenges that human rights bodies encounter when dealing with cases in which IHL applies.

Read more

Flyer presenting the Geneva Human Rights Platform with other publications of the Geneva Academy on display Project

GHRP Briefings

Started in January 2019

The GHRP Briefings provide an opportunity for all stakeholders to discuss the results of the United Nations (UN) Treaty Body (TB) 2020 Review and practical ways to implement change.

Read more

Cover Page of Research Brief Publication

Between Science-Fact and Science-Fiction Innovation and Ethics in Neurotechnology

published on May 2024

Milena Costas, Timo Istace

Read more