Thank you, Mr. moderator and panelists,

I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the BENELUX countries, Belgium, Luxembourg and my own country, the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

The sixtieth anniversary of the International Covenants is an important opportunity to reaffirm their central role in the international human rights architecture. 

In this regard, we would like to highlight the considerable contribution that the treaty bodies, notably the Human Rights Committee and the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, have made to the implementation of human rights obligations through recommendations regarding national legislation, policies and practices, as well as through General Comments and decisions.

We, therefore, call on State parties to engage constructively with the treaty body system and to make full use of their expertise to increase the respect for - and protection and fulfillment of - human rights at the national level. 

Furthermore, we urge States to respect the independence of the treaty bodies and to condemn reprisals against those who submit complaints before them or collaborate with them.

Excellencies,

How can we, as part of the Treaty Body reform process, ensure that the respective committees work efficiently and effectively for another sixty years? 

Thank you.