The Follow-up Procedure
In 2001, the Human Rights Committee decided to develop a follow-up procedure related to the Concluding Observations. Since then, the Committee has usually identified a limited number of Concluding Observations of particular priority. It then asks the State Party to provide, within a year, information on the measures it has taken to address those particular issues.
In this context, a new position of Special Rapporteur on Follow-up to Concluding Observations has been created. It is the role of the Special Rapporteur to assess this follow-up information and make a recommendation to the Committee on any further steps that may be appropriate. These may include requests for additional information.
If States fail to submit the follow-up information, the Special Rapporteur sends reminders and seeks to meet with representatives in order to pursue the issue.
The role of the NGOs in the Follow-up Procedure
The adoption of the Concluding Observations by the Committee is often seen as the last step of the reporting process. On the contrary, NGOs should bear in mind that the most challenging part of the reporting process is the follow-up to the Concluding Observations, once the session is over.
There are three main areas where NGOs might be involved with regard to the follow-up to the Concluding Observations:
- Raising awareness about the Concluding Observations
- Lobbying for the implementation of the Concluding Observations
- Reporting back to the Human Rights Committee
Read more in the NGO's Guidelines
