rights treaties. These "treaty bodies" monitor the implementation of the individual conventions by the States parties. Over the years, the United Nations has also developed an independent and ad hoc system of fact-finding outside the treaty framework, which is referred to as extra-conventional mechanisms or "Special Procedures". Independent experts report in their personal capacity as special rapporteurs or as members of working groups. Treaty Bodies (Conventional Mechanisms) Treaty bodies have been set up for the six core United Nations human rights treaties to monitor States parties' efforts to implement the provisions of the international instruments. The Human Rights Committee monitors the implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Composed of 18 independent experts of recognized competence in the field of human rights. The First Optional Protocol, which entered into force together with the Covenant, authorizes the Committee to consider also allegations from individuals concerning violations of their civil and political rights. The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights monitors the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. Composed of 18 internationally recognized independent experts in the relevant fields. The members of the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights are elected by ECOSOC, to which they report. The Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination ) monitors the implementation of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. Composed of 18 independent experts, and is the oldest treaty body. The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, composed of 23 independent experts, has monitored the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women since 1981. The Committee Against Torture monitors the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. Composed of 10 independent experts, the Committee was established in 1987. The Committee on the Rights of the Child , composed of 10 independent experts, has monitored the Convention on the Rights of the Child since 1991.
rights treaties. These "treaty bodies" monitor the implementation of the individual conventions by the States parties. Over the years, the United Nations has also developed an independent and ad hoc system of fact-finding outside the treaty framework, which is referred to as extra-conventional mechanisms or "Special Procedures". Independent experts report in their personal capacity as special rapporteurs or as members of working groups. Treaty Bodies (Conventional Mechanisms) Treaty bodies have been set up for the six core United Nations human rights treaties to monitor States parties' efforts to implement the provisions of the international instruments. The Human Rights Committee monitors the implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Composed of 18 independent experts of recognized competence in the field of human rights. The First Optional Protocol, which entered into force together with the Covenant, authorizes the Committee to consider also allegations from individuals concerning violations of their civil and political rights. The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights monitors the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. Composed of 18 internationally recognized independent experts in the relevant fields. The members of the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights are elected by ECOSOC, to which they report. The Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination ) monitors the implementation of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. Composed of 18 independent experts, and is the oldest treaty body. The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, composed of 23 independent experts, has monitored the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women since 1981. The Committee Against Torture monitors the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. Composed of 10 independent experts, the Committee was established in 1987. The Committee on the Rights of the Child , composed of 10 independent experts, has monitored the Convention on the Rights of the Child since 1991.