Event information

21 October 2023, 12:00-13:15

The Practice of the UN Human Rights Treaty Bodies: Beyond International Law?

GHRP Annual Conference

A session of the UN Human Rights Committee A session of the UN Human Rights Committee
abila logo   Norwegian Centre for Human Rights     ILA Albania

This panel at the ABILA International Weekend – co-organized with the Norwegian Centre for Human Rights and the Albanian branch of the International Law Association – forms part of the 2023 Annual Conference of the Geneva Human Rights Platform that takes place in New York.

The United Nations (UN) human rights treaty bodies (TBs) main methods of work include State reporting, individual communications, and the codification of their practice through ‘general comments’ or ‘general recommendations’. This panel will critically discuss the practice of UN TBS, with a focus on general comments and recommendations, while reflecting also on concluding observations and views. The analysis highlights the main substantial and procedural controversies around them from the lens of whether the process of their adoption and the end- product can be seen as ‘beyond international law’, or as an inherent part of the process of development of international law. Equally important, the panel will provide insights on whether and to what extent the practice of UN TBs is reflected in the codification and development of international law.

Moderation

  • Felix Kirchmeier, Executive Director, Geneva Human Rights Platform

Panelists

  • Virgínia Brás Gomes, Former Chairperson, UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
  • Mikiko Otani, Member and Former Chairperson, UN Committee on the Rights of the Child
  • Arnold Pronto, Principal Legal Officer, Codification Division, UN Office of Legal Affairs
  • Gentian Zyberi, Professor of International Law and Human Rights, Norwegian Center for Human Rights, University of Oslo; Former Member, UN Human Rights Committee

About the Geneva Human Rights Platform Annual Conference

You can find here information about the other panels/events that form part of the 2023 Annual Conference in New York.

This annual flagship public event open to all human rights actors  – diplomats, experts, NGOs, members of UN treaty bodies, Special Rapporteurs, international organizations, National Human Rights Institutions and academics – addresses current issues and challenges in the work of Geneva-based human rights mechanisms.

 

Disclaimer

This event may be filmed, recorded and/or photographed on behalf of the Geneva Academy. The Geneva Academy may use these recordings and photographs for internal and external communications for information, teaching and research purposes, and/or promotion and illustration through its various media channels (website, social media, newsletters, annual report, etc.).

By participating in this event, you are agreeing to the possibility of appearing in the aforementioned films, recordings and photographs, and their subsequent use by the Geneva Academy.

MORE ON THIS THEMATIC AREA

ECHR Logo News

In Highlight: ECHR Knowledge Sharing Platform

13 May 2025

Via its DHRTTDs Directory, the Geneva Human Rights Platform provides a comprehensive list and description of such key tools and databases. But how to navigate them? Which tool should be used for what, and by whom? This interview helps us understand better the specificities of the current highlight of the directory: ECHR Knowledge Sharing Platform

Read more

Human Rights Tiles News

From Signals to Action: Strengthening the UN's Conflict Prevention Efforts

31 March 2025

Our recent research brief series explores how the United Nations' human rights system can enhance its role in early warning and conflict prevention.

Read more

Digital Globe Event

AI and Human RIghts: Risks and Promises - Panel at the 2025 LATSIS Symposium

10 September 2025, 16:30-17:45

This Human Rights Conversation will explore how AI is being used by human rights institutions to enhance the efficiency, scope, and impact of monitoring and implementation frameworks.

Read more

Training

Human Rights and the Environment: Introducing Legal Regimes and Key Issues

1-8 September 2025

Participants in this training course will be introduced to the major international and regional instruments for the promotion of human rights, as well as international environmental law and its implementation and enforcement mechanisms.

Read more

Town Hall Meeting Training

Localizing International Human Rights

8-10 October 2025

This training course, specifically designed for staff of city and regional governments, will explore the means and mechanisms through which local and regional governments can interact with and integrate the recommendations of international human rights bodies in their concrete work at the local level.

Read more

Un plate with Rapporteur Spécial written on it Project

Support to UN Special Procedures

Started in June 2020

Read more

Project

Follow-up Review Pilot Series

Started in November 2021

Read more

Cover of the 2023 Geneva Academy Annual Report Publication

Annual Report 2024

published on July 2025

Read more