The purpose of these bodies is to supervise and ensure the implementation of the major treaties ratified by UN member states. In addition, it is notably through these committees that non-governmental organizations with UN accreditation are able to submit written or oral requests for intervention.

​

The introduction of contractual mechanisms dates back to 1976, with the establishment of the Human Rights Committee through the ratification of the ICCPR (International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights). Over the years, other bodies were formed within the Human Rights Council, eventually establishing ten committees:

1. Human Rights Committee (HRC)-1976 (https://www.ohchr.org/en/treaty-bodies/ccpr)

2. Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR) - 1985 (https://www.ohchr.org/en/treaty-bodies/cescr)

3. Committe on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) - 1970 (https://www.ohchr.org/en/treaty-bodies/cerd)

4. Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) - 1982 (https://www.ohchr.org/en/treaty-bodies/cedaw)

5. Committee against Torture (CAT)-1987 (https://www.ohchr.org/en/treaty-bodies/cat)

6. Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) - 1990 (https://www.ohchr.org/en/treaty-bodies/crc)

7. Committee on Migrant Workers (CMW) - 2004 (https://www.ohchr.org/en/treaty-bodies/cmw)

8. Sub-Committee Prevention of Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (SPT) - 2006 (https://www.ohchr.org/en/treaty-bodies/spt)

9. Committee on the Rights of Persons Disabilities (CRPD) - 2009 (https://www.ohchr.org/en/treaty-bodies/crpd)

10. Committee on Enforced Disappearances (CED) - 2011 (https://www.ohchr.org/en/treaty-bodies/ced)

 

[1] https://www.ohchr.org/fr/treaty-bodies