Follow-up procedure of the Human Rights Committee
In order to enhance the implementation of its recommendations by the State parties after the review, the HR Committee has established so-called follow-up procedure in 2013 (CCPR/C/108/2). Under this procedure, the HR Committee selects on average 3 recommendations (so-called follow-up recommendations) in its Concluding Observations and request the State party to implement them and report back to the Committee within 3 years. Other stakeholders including NGOs are also invited to assess the implementation status of these recommendations and submit their reports to the HR Committee under this procedure.
What are the grades adopted by the Committee?
Based on the information provided by the State party as well as from other stakeholders including NGOs, the HR Committee will evaluate the actions taken by the State party to implement follow-up recommendations. In doing so, the HR Committee also gives grades from A to E to each action taken by the State party with following criteria:
| Follow-up assessment criteria of the Human Rights Committee |
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A - Information/action largely satisfactory The State party has provided evidence of significant action taken towards the implementation of the recommendation made by the Committee. In this case, the Committee may request additional information from the State party to be provided in the next periodic report. |
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B – Information/action partially satisfactory The State party has taken steps towards the implementation of the recommendation, but additional information or action remains necessary. In this case, the Committee requests additional information to be provided in the next periodic report, on specific points of the State party’s previous reply that require clarification, or on additional steps taken by the State party to implement the recommendation. |
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C – Information/action not satisfactory A response has been received, but action taken or information provided by the State party is not relevant or does not implement the recommendation. Information provided by the State party that reiterates information previously made available to the Committee prior to the concluding observations is considered not relevant for these purposes. The Committee renews the request for information on steps taken to implement the recommendation. |
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D – No cooperation with the Committee No information has been received from the State party. The State party has not replied with the deadline, nor after it has received the reminder sent by the Special Rapporteur for follow-up on concluding observations. |
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E – Information or measures taken are contrary to or reflect rejection of the recommendation The State party adopted measures that are contrary to or have results or consequences that are contrary to the recommendation of the Committee or reflect rejection of the recommendation. |
What are the criteria for deciding on which recommendations are assessed?
The Committee chooses its follow-up recommendations on the basis of following two main criteria:
a) the recommendation can be implemented within 3 years of its adoption; and
b) the recommendation requires attention because of either the gravity or the urgency of the situationion.
Where can I find the follow-up assessment and grades adopted by the Committee?
Information about the assessment and grades adopted by the Committee at each session can be found in the reports of the Committee's Special Rapporteur on follow-up: Click here
Relevant documents, including State's follow-up reports and Committee's assessement, for past and current follow-up per country can be found here.
CCPR-Centre newsletters also include updates on the latest grades adopted by the Committee: Signup Here
Can States parties appeal against grades adopted by the Committee?
No. The HR Committee decides on the grades reflecting their assessment of the measures taken to comply with their urgent recommendations, based on information received by the State and other sources. There is no appeal procedure.
Are the Committee sessions on grading public? Can States, CSOs, and NHRIs participate in these sessions?
The HR Committee meetings during which the grades are adopted and discussed are public, and they are live-streamed at UN Web TV. Although representatives of States, NGOs or NHRIs may attend, they are not able to speak during these meetings.
What happens if a State party does not provide follow-up information?
The Committee will send a reminder. Moreover, If the Committee receives no information after the reminder, the Special Rapporteur for follow-up on concluding observations may request a meeting with the State party, to be organized by the Secretariat. If no reply is received, the State party is given a D assessment in the subsequent follow-up report. The Committee will also make reference to this lack of cooperation during the dialogue concerning the State party’s next periodic report and in the next concluding observations adopted for the State party
How can civil society and NHRIs contribute to the process?
Civil society and NHRIs can submit own follwo-up reports to the Committee. The focus of such reports should be put on the measures taken by the State party to implement follow-up recommendations and they should be below 3 500 words. Reports must be drafted in one of the UN languages and they can be submitted to the Secretariat of the HR Committee.
When should NGOs and NHRIs send their inputs to the process?
The Committee publishes on its website for each session information about State parties scheduled for follow-up assessment including deadline for reports from stakeholders.
For more informatoin about the Committee's follow-up procedure and how civil society can engage, please see our Guides for Civil Society or contact us at info@ccprcentre.org.
You can also find relevant information in: Note by the Human Rights Committee on the procedure for follow-up to concluding observations
