Committee on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families
Concluding observations on the second periodic report of Rwanda *
1.The Committee considered the second periodic report of Rwanda at its 454th and 455th meetings, held on 27 and 28 September 2021. At its 472nd meeting, held on 8 October 2021, it adopted the present concluding observations.
A.Introduction
2.The Committee welcomes the submission of the second periodic report of the State party, which was prepared in response to the list of issues prior to reporting. It also welcomes the additional information provided during the dialogue by the delegation, which was headed by Marie Chantal Rwakazina.
3.The Committee appreciates the dialogue held with the high-level delegation, both in Geneva and in Kigali; the information provided by the State party’s representatives; and the constructive approach to the meetings, which allowed for joint analysis and reflection. The Committee is also grateful for the efforts made by the State party to submit replies and additional information within 24 hours of the dialogue.
4.The Committee acknowledges that Rwanda, as a country of origin of migrant workers, has made progress in protecting the rights of its nationals working abroad. However, it notes that, as a country of origin, transit and destination, the State party faces a number of challenges in respect of the protection of the rights of migrant workers and members of their families.
B.Positive aspects
5.The Committee notes with appreciation the ratification of or accession to the following instruments:
(a)The Private Employment Agencies Convention, 1997 (No. 181) of the International Labour Organization (ILO), in June 2018;
(b)The Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, on 30 June 2015.
6.The Committee welcomes the adoption of the following legislative measures:
(a)The adoption of Law No. 71/2018 relating to the protection of the child, in August 2018;
(b)The adoption of Law No. 57/2018 on immigration and emigration in Rwanda, on 13 August 2018, and its Ministerial Order No. 06/01, relating to migrant workers, in May 2019;
(c)The adoption of Law No. 51/2018 relating to the prevention, suppression and punishment of trafficking in persons and the exploitation of others, in August 2018;
(d)The adoption of Law No. 66/2018, which regulates work within the State, especially with regard to the issue of migrant workers, in August 2018;
(e)The adoption of Law No. 68/2018 defining offences and penalties, which prohibits discrimination under article 163, in August 2018;
(f)The adoption of Law No. 19/2013 governing the National Commission for Human Rights, in March 2013, and Law No. 61/2018, which modifies Law No. 19/2013 and determines missions, organization and functioning of the National Commission for Human Rights, and expands the powers of the Commission to work as the national preventive mechanism provided under the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, in August 2018.
7.The Committee also welcomes the adoption of the national labour mobility policy in 2020, with a view to putting in place implementation systems to ensure the social protection and safety of Rwandan migrant workers in the formal sector abroad. The Committee also welcomes the good practice established by the State party to register children born in the State party regardless of the status of their parents.
8.The Committee acknowledges the efforts of Rwanda in achieving gender equality, including its treatment of migrant women.
C.Principal subjects of concern and recommendations
1.General measures of implementation (arts. 73 and 84)
Current context
9. The Committee recommends that the State party protect the rights of migrants and members of their families, in particular their right to health, and mitigate the adverse effects of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic in the light of the joint guidance note on the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the human rights of migrants, issued by the Committee and the Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants. In particular, the Committee recommends that the State party guarantee equitable access to vaccination against COVID-19 to all migrants and members of their families, irrespective of their nationality, migration status or other prohibited grounds for discrimination in accordance with the recommendations issued by this Committee and other regional human rights mechanisms in the aforementioned joint guidance note.
Legislation and application
10.The Committee takes note of the adoption of Law No. 57/2018, on immigration and emigration in Rwanda, on 13 August 2018. It notes that migrant workers and members of their families, including those in irregular situations, have the right to lodge complaints about violations of their rights, and have access to courts of law and to the National Commission for Human Rights. The Committee is concerned, however, that the absence of cases or proceedings brought by migrant workers or members of their families, including those in an irregular situation, for violations of their rights under the Convention, may reflect a lack of awareness of the legal remedies, or the complexity of procedures available to them. The Committee is further concerned that the State party has withdrawn from the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Establishment of an African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
11. The Committee recommends that the State party take measures to inform migrant workers and members of their families of the remedies available to them in the event of a violation of their rights under the Convention. It also invites the State party to provide, in its next report, information regarding the application of the Convention and the Committee ’ s general comments by domestic courts and/or the National Commission for Human Rights . It further encourage s the State party to re-examine its position and take steps to rejoin the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples ’ Rights on the Establishment of an African Court on Human and Peoples ’ Rights .
12.The Committee takes note of the provision whereby, in order to be heard by a court, foreigners need to furnish a security fee, which is provided for in article 87 of Law No. 21/2012 of 14 June 2012, relating to the civil, commercial, labour and administrative procedure, and maintained in article 91 of Law No. 22/2018 of 29 April 2018.
13. The Committee also recommends that Rwanda abolish the requirement of furnishing a security fee by foreigners who are not nationals of East African States.
Articles 76–77
14.The Committee notes that the State party has not yet made the declarations provided for in articles 76 and 77 of the Convention, recognizing the competence of the Committee to receive communications from States parties and individuals.
15. The Committee reiterates its previous recommendation and encourages the State party to make the declarations provided for under articles 76 and 77 of the Convention.
Ratification of relevant instruments
16. The Committee recommends that the State party ratify, as soon as possible, the ILO Migration for Employment Convention (Revised), 1949 (No. 97), the ILO Migrant Workers (Supplementary Provisions) Convention, 1975 (No. 143) and the ILO Domestic Workers Convention, 2011 (No. 189).
Policy and strategy
17.The Committee notes the establishment of the Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration, which manages all matters related to migration. It further notes the adoption in 2020 of the national labour mobility policy, which is aimed at the fulfilment and protection of human and labour rights of Rwandan migrant workers. The Committee is concerned, however, that the policy only concerns nationals of Rwanda who work in the formal sector as opposed to the informal sector, and excludes foreign workers in Rwanda.
18. The Committee recommends that the State party include the protection of Rwandan national s who work in the informal sector, as well as of immigrants in Rwanda, in its n ational l abour m obility p olicy, and take measures aimed at protecting their human rights.
Independent monitoring
19.The Committee notes the adoption of Law No. 19/2013, determining missions, organization and functioning of the National Commission for Human Rights, on 25 March 2013, which was modified by Law No. 61/2018, on 24 August 2018. It notes with appreciation article 6 (4) of Law No. 19/2013, which states that the Commission has the special mission of protecting migrant workers and members of their family, and also notes the efforts made to ensure a transparent and participatory process for the selection and appointment of members of the Commission. The Committee is concerned, however, that the law does not ensure an independent and objective dismissal process, and that the Commission does not have sufficient resources to carry out its mandate to protect the rights of migrant workers and members of their families effectively.
20. The Committee recommends that the State party amend the law determining missions, organization and functioning of the National Commission for Human Rights to ensure an independent and objective dismissal process, and provide adequate human, technical and financial resources to the Commission to enable it to promote and protect the rights of migrant workers and members of their families under the Convention.
Training on and dissemination of information about the Convention
21.The Committee notes the efforts made by the State party in terms of training and raising awareness of human rights indicated in its report and during the dialogue in relation to the training of judges. However, the Committee is concerned by the lack of training programmes specifically related to the Convention and the rights enshrined therein for stakeholders, including personnel in the judicial and law enforcement sectors.
22. The Committee recommends that the State party:
(a) Develop education and training programmes on the rights of migrant workers and members of their families under the Convention, including on gender issues and children ’ s rights, and ensure that such programmes are made available to all officials and other persons working in the area of migration, in particular law enforcement and border authorities, judges, prosecutors, consular officials, members of parliament, national, regional and local officials, social workers and members of civil society organizations;
(b) Strengthen its work with civil society organizations and the media to disseminate information about and promote the Convention throughout the State party.
Participation of civil society
23.The Committee is concerned about the limited participation of civil society in the implementation of the Convention.
24. The Committee recommends that the State party:
(a) Provide civil society organizations working with migrant workers and members of their families with the necessary means to effectively participate in the implementation of the Convention, and in following up on the recommendations contained in the present concluding observations;
(b) Strengthen its dialogue with civil society organizations.
2.General principles (arts. 7 and 83)
Non-discrimination
25.The Committee notes the general constitutional prohibition of discrimination, and also takes note of Law No. 68/2018 defining offences and penalties, which penalizes discrimination, and Law No. 66/2018 governing labour in Rwanda, which prohibits discrimination in the workplace. However, the Committee finds it regrettable that there is a lack of information on actual practice and examples that would make it possible to assess the implementation of the right to non-discrimination pursuant to the Convention with respect to both documented and undocumented migrant workers.
26. The Committee recommends that the State party take all necessary measures to ensure that all migrant workers and members of their families in its territory or subject to its jurisdiction, whether documented or not, enjoy the rights recognized in the Convention without discrimination, in accordance with articles 1 (1) and 7.
3.Human rights of all migrant workers and members of their families (arts. 8–35)
Due process, detention and equality before the courts
27.The Committee notes that Law No. 57/2018 repealed Law No. 04/2011. It also notes the assurances of the State party that detention of migrants for violations of immigration law is used only as a measure of last resort in special facilities, and that the National Commission for Human Rights monitors and may make unannounced visits to places of detention where migrant workers may be held. However, the Committee is concerned about:
(a)Ministerial Order No. 06/01 of 29 May 2019, relating to immigration and emigration, which fixes administrative faults and sanctions in the event of non-compliance with the provisions of that law, sets fines for delay in applying for a visa or residence permit ranging from 50,000 to 1 million Rwanda francs for an overstay of 6 days to more than 9 months, and opens up the possibility of expelling the offender;
(b)Point (a) of article 44 of Law No. 57/2018, which provides that any person who assists a foreigner when he or she knows, or ought to know, that such a foreigner is an irregular immigrant in Rwanda, and which is overinclusive;
(c)The lack of statistical data on cases involving the placement of migrant workers and members of their families in administrative custody for reasons related to irregular migration;
(d)The ongoing discussion on the concluding of a memorandum of understanding between Rwanda and Denmark on cooperation regarding asylum and migration issues, which may be detrimental to the rights of asylum seekers and migrants.
28. The Committee recommends that the State party:
(a) Ensure that regularization is accessible and affordable for all migrant workers and members of their families who are in an irregular situation, and that fines levied as penalties for migration-related offences (e.g. visa overstays) do not block access to regularization mechanisms;
(b) Ensure removal of point (a) of article 44 of Law No. 57/2018 to prevent systematic penalization of solidarity in favour of migrant workers in Rwanda;
(c) Include, in its next periodic report, detailed information, disaggregated by age, sex, nationality or origin or both, on the number of migrant workers currently held in administrative detention for immigration offences and on the place, average duration and conditions of their detention;
(d) Ensure that bilateral cooperation agreements on asylum and migration issues adopted with other State parties safeguard the rights and guarantees contained in the Convention, and that such agreements promote voluntary return and prohibit forced return of migrant workers to their countries of origin.
Remuneration and conditions of work
29.The Committee takes note of Law No. 66/2018 regulating labour, which protects migrant workers under the principle of equal pay for work of equal value, and which governs both formal and informal sector workers, including domestic workers. The Committee notes that responsibilities and powers of labour inspectors also apply to informal sector and domestic work, in particular. It also notes that the Law prohibits children from doing various kinds of work, including working in underground mines; that it criminalizes and punishes an employer who subjects a child to any of the prohibited forms of work; that a Ministerial Order, which would include domestic work among the prohibited forms of work for a child, is in the process of being adopted; and that the national child labour policy is aimed at preventing and eliminating child labour. The Committee also takes note of the establishment of child labour elimination and prevention committees at the district, cell and village levels, with a view to identifying child labour cases and reporting them to competent authorities. The Committee is concerned, however, about:
(a)The lack of information on the monitoring and implementation of the principle of equal pay for work of equal value, specifically with regard to migrant workers in both regular and irregular situations, and about the lack of data on actual cases involving non-compliance with the above-mentioned principle;
(b)The absence of a law prohibiting child labour, including migrant children and adolescents in hazardous work, and the lack of information on the prosecution and punishment of those who exploit child labour;
(c)The lack of information on measures taken to prevent and combat the exploitation of girls in domestic work, in particular migrant girls;
(d)Widespread informal employment in the private domestic work sector and of a lack of awareness on the part of migrant workers in the sector of their rights and obligations.
30. The Committee recommends that the State party:
(a) Ensure that migrant workers enjoy treatment not less favourable than that which applies to nationals in respect of remuneration and conditions of work, and that it is strictly enforced through regular and unannounced labour inspections in sectors where migrant workers are employed, regardless of whether the sector is formal or informal, in line with target 8.8 of the Sustainable Development Goals;
(b) Redouble its efforts to eliminate child labour, including in the informal economy, by ensuring that legal proceedings are taken against those who exploit children economically and that child victims receive full reparation;
(c) Strengthen labour inspection services to monitor conditions of domestic work effectively and to receive, investigate and address complaints of alleged violations in that regard;
(d) Ensure that migrant domestic workers have explicit, written terms of employment, outlining their specific duties, hours, remuneration, days of rest and other conditions of work, in contracts that are free, fair and fully consented to, together with information on access to complaint mechanisms and other resources available to migrants under the Convention.
Social security
31.The Committee notes that the State party provides a social security framework through the Law regulating labour in Rwanda (2018), which obligates employers to affiliate and contribute for an employee to the social security organ without any distinction on whether he or she is a national or migrant worker. It also notes that a general social security convention was adopted with Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, but that it does not extend its scope of application to family and maternity benefits, and that discussions on the adoption of a social security agreement for the East African Community are under way.
32. The Committee reiterates its previous recommendation that the State p arty ensure the conclusion of bilateral or multilateral social security agreements in order to guarantee the social protection of migrant workers, including family and maternity benefits, as well as the portability of social security benefits.
Transfer of earnings, savings and belongings
33.The Committee notes that Law No. 05/2015 governing the organization of pension schemes includes all employees governed by the Law regulating labour in Rwanda regardless of their nationality. While it further notes that the State party has ratified the ILO Maintenance of Migrants’ Pension Rights Convention, 1935 (No. 48), and that reciprocal agreements have been signed with Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo on the transferability of pension benefits, the Committee is concerned to note that the Law governing the organization of pension schemes states that pension benefits are payable only in Rwanda and are not transferable abroad if the beneficiary no longer resides in the country.
34. The Committee recommends that the State party ensure that migrants who have contributed to the social security system may export their pension funds, irrespective of the country of export, and facilitate the transfer of migrant workers ’ earnings, savings and belongings.
Medical care
35.The Committee notes that Law No. 48/2015 governing the organization, functioning and management of health insurance schemes, which was adopted on 23 November 2015 and which stipulates that any employer, whether public or private, is to be required to contribute to the payment of his or her employees’ health insurance contributions. It is concerned, however, about the lack of information on specific programmes to guarantee access to emergency medical care for migrant workers and members of their families who are in an irregular situation in the territory of the State party.
36. The Committee recommends that the State party take the measures necessary to ensure that all migrant workers and members of their families, irrespective of their migration status, are able, in law and in practice, to access to emergency medical care and basic health services on a basis of equality of treatment with nationals of the State party.
Birth registration and nationality
37.The Committee notes with satisfaction that children born in the State party are registered regardless of the status of their parents and thereafter are given birth certificates, and that the National Identification Agency is currently creating a database to register all Rwandans born and registered abroad. The Committee, however, regrets the lack of specific information on measures taken to ensure the rights to Rwandan nationality of children of migrant workers born abroad, as well as on the prevention of statelessness. The Committee further notes the lack of a clear procedure for the determination of statelessness of migrant workers as recommended by the Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons.
38. The Committee recommends that the State party:
(a) Ensure that all children of Rwandan migrant workers born abroad are registered at birth and issued with identity documents at consular services, and that birth registration is facilitated and free of charge everywhere and under all circumstances, in accordance with target 16.9 of the Sustainable Development Goals;
(b) Raise awareness of the importance of birth registration among migrant workers and members of their families, especially those in an irregular situation;
(c) Set up clear statelessness determination procedures and ease access to citizenship, given the critical role that nationality plays in the treatment of all persons, especially migrant workers.
Right to be informed and dissemination of information
39.The Committee notes the one-stop information centre for migrants under the aegis of the Directorate General for Immigration and Emigration. The Committee is concerned, however, about the lack of measures taken to actively disseminate information to migrant workers taking up employment in the State party about their rights under the Convention, access to justice and available complaint mechanisms.
40. The Committee recommends that the State party:
(a) Take measures to actively disseminate information to migrant workers taking up employment in the State party about their rights under the Convention, access to justice and available complaint mechanisms;
(b) Develop targeted awareness-raising programmes, including in consultation with relevant non-governmental organizations, migrant workers and their families, and recognized and reliable recruitment agencies.
41.The Committee is concerned that women migrant workers and wives or partners of migrant workers are not sufficiently informed about the different ways of obtaining assistance and protection, and about available complaint mechanisms, particularly in cases of violence.
42. In line with the recommendations for addressing women ’ s human rights in the G lobal C ompact for S afe, O rderly and R egular M igration, the Committee recommends that the State party:
(a) Ensure that information on the rights of women in migration is available, accessible and easy to understand, and that it encompasses the right to freedom of movement, economic, social and cultural rights, civil and political rights, labour rights and freedom from harm, as well as information on available remedies, access to justice and complaint mechanisms in case of violations. Information should provide clarity on the risks and realities of regular and irregular migration channels;
(b) Ensure that migrant women and wives or partners of migrant workers are provided with contact information for consulates, criminal justice services and migrant women ’ s organizations, and are made aware of their right to seek help and protection from these services without reprimand or removal;
(c) Ensure individual identity documentation is provided to all migrant women and girls, and to wives or partners of migrant workers, with the specific aim of ensuring access to services required to protect and guarantee their rights.
Border management and migrants in transit
43.The Committee notes with concern that access to food has been limited in camps for people in transit in the course of 2021.
44. The Committee recommends that the State party ensure respect for human rights of migrants in transit, including access to adequate basic services such as food, health care and hygiene.
4.Other rights of migrant workers and members of their families who are documented or in a regular situation (arts. 36–56)
Right to form trade unions
45.The Committee notes that migrant workers have the right to form trade unions, according to article 83 of Law No. 66/2018 governing labour. However, it regrets the lack of information provided on how this right is enjoyed in practice by foreign migrant workers and members of their families in the State party for the promotion and protection of their rights and their economic, social, cultural and other interests.
46. The Committee recommends that the State party take effective measures to ensure that migrant workers and members of their families can fully exercise their right to form and be a member of associations and trade unions for the promotion and protection of their rights and their economic, social, cultural and other interests, in accordance with article 40 of the Convention and the ILO Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention, 1948 (No. 87).
Equality of treatment in respect of unemployment
47.The Committee notes that Law No. 66/2018 governing labour protects migrant workers from unlawful termination of employment and provides access to public work schemes intended to combat unemployment on an equal basis with nationals. However, it regrets the lack of specific information on migrant worker access to unemployment benefits and to alternative employment in the event of loss of work or termination of other remunerated activity.
48. The Committee recommends that the State party provide specific information in its next periodic report on migrant worker access to unemployment benefits and to alternative employment.
5.Promotion of sound, equitable, humane and lawful conditions in connection with the international migration of workers and members of their families (arts. 64–71)
Consular assistance
49.The Committee notes that Rwandans living abroad receive assistance through the General Diaspora Facilitation Programme and that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has a unit that serves the members of the Rwandan community abroad on a daily basis. However, it regrets the lack of information on education programmes on the provisions of the Convention.
50. The Committee recommends that the State party continue to build the capacity of its consulates and embassies to provide advice, assistance and protection to Rwandan migrant workers and their families residing abroad, and that it develop education and training programmes on the provisions of the Convention specifically for Rwandan migrant workers who intend to emigrate.
Return and reintegration
51.The Committee is concerned that there are no legislative or regulatory provisions to regulate the return of Rwandan nationals outside the country who do not meet the criteria set out in article 4 of Law No. 57/2018 on immigration and emigration in Rwanda, and article 7 of Ministerial Order No. 06/01 relating to immigration and emigration, namely, the requirement that they hold a valid travel document or other proof of Rwandan citizenship.
52. The Committee again recommends that the State party regulate and facilitate the return to the State party of Rwandan migrant workers who do not meet the criteria set out in article 4 of Law No. 57/2018 , namely, the requirement that they hold a valid travel document or other proof of Rwandan citizenship, and continue to create measures to facilitate the voluntary return of Rwandans living abroad and members of their families, as well as their long-term economic, social and cultural reintegration in the State party.
Trafficking in persons
53.The Committee welcomes the adoption of Law No. 51/2018, which provides for the protection of, and the provision of assistance to, victims of trafficking; makes trafficking in persons a criminal offence; and details prison sentences and fines for those violating the Law. It also notes the efforts of the State party to combat trafficking in persons by increasing the conviction rates of perpetrators from 12.5 per cent in 2016 to 53.3 per cent in 2018. The Committee is concerned, however, about:
(a)The limited knowledge about trafficking in persons, including among local leaders, teachers, young people, the border community, refugees, implementing partners in refugee camps and the community in general;
(b)The challenges in evidence-gathering as one of the main causes of the low conviction rate for the crime of trafficking in persons as compared with other crimes;
(c)The absence of specific referral pathway for trafficking in persons;
(d)The limited involvement of civil society and the private sector in the current anti-trafficking mechanism, such as the technical working group on trafficking, based at the Ministry of Justice;
(e)Scarce quantitative data related to trafficking in persons.
54. I n accordance with its general comment No. 2 (2013) and the Recommended Principles and Guidelines on Human Rights and Human Trafficking of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights , t he Committee recommends that the State party:
(a) Design and implement comprehensive awareness-raising programmes for local leaders, secondary school teachers, refugees, implementing partners in refugee camps, border community and community members at large, for the prevention of trafficking in migrant workers;
(b) Institute a joint team comprising prosecutors and investigators from the Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration, the Rwanda Investigation Bureau and the National Public Prosecuting Authority to work hand in hand during investigations on trafficking in persons;
(c) Develop a comprehensive referral pathway for cases of trafficking in persons, encompassing refugee camps and transit centres;
(d) Adopt a holistic approach in counter-trafficking efforts that also involves civil society and the private sector;
(e) Set up an office for the coordination of efforts to combat crimes of trafficking in persons across the State party, and develop a management information system for data on trafficking in persons.
Measures to address migrant workers in an irregular situation
55.The Committee is concerned about the absence of information on regularization mechanisms and of data on irregular migrants, including those who passed through the regularization mechanisms. It is further concerned about the criminalization of assistance to migrants in an irregular situation.
56. The Committee recommends that the State party provide:
(a) Information on procedures for regularizing the situation of migrant workers in an irregular situation;
(b) Data on irregular migrants, including those who passed through the regularization mechanisms;
(c) Data on criminal proceedings undertaken against individuals who provided assistance to migrants in an irregular situation.
6.Dissemination and follow-up
Dissemination
57. The Committee requests the State party to ensure the timely dissemination of the present concluding observations , in the official languages of the State party, to the relevant State institutions, including to government ministries, the legislature, the judiciary and relevant local authorities, as well as to non-governmental organizations and other members of civil society.
58. The Committee recommends that the implementation of the Convention, in particular the action taken in follow-up to the present concluding observations, should be approached together with civil society organizations, and that the proposals these organizations make with respect to specific migration problems in Rwanda should be explored, given their deep understanding of the daily reality of migrants. In this regard, the Committee recommends that the State party set up a mechanism for monitoring and following up on the implementation of human rights treaty body recommendations, in particular those of the Committee, in coordination with the competent bodies and civil society, and for periodically assessing their implementation with the support of United Nations agencies and the National Institute of Human Rights.
Follow-up to concluding observations
59. The Committee requests the State party to provide, within two years ( that is, by 1 November 2023 ), written information on the implementation of the recommendations contained in paragraphs 1 1 (information on the Convention), 1 3 (security fees), 2 8 ( b ) (penalization of solidarity) and 5 4 ( d ) (holistic approach to counter-trafficking).
Next periodic report
60. The Committee requests the State party to submit its third periodic report by 1 November 2026 . In doing so, the State party may wish to follow the simplified reporting procedure. The Committee draws the State party ’ s attention to its harmonized treaty-specific guidelines.