RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN THE SYSTEM OF PERIODIC REPORTING TO THE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE

Since the inception of the UN human rights monitoring system, periodic reports have always been considered as the most common monitoring instrument. This was mainly due to the fact that the said mechanism was thought to be a non-aggressive one, as contrasted to the individual complaints which affect the sovereign rights of States. Over time, human rights monitoring bodies, including the Human Rights Committee, have attempted to increase the efficiency of the periodic reporting mechanism through various means. The present article studies the measures taken by the Human Rights Committee in recent years, particularly in 2009 and 2010, with a view to strengthening the reporting system.