Guide for Third-Party Interventions before UN Human Rights Treaty Bodies

This ISHR guide seeks to demystify and democratise the TPI procedure and thus widen the circle of those who can make use of it. It aims to do so by providing practical tools and tips on how to submit TPIs to the UNTBs.

Third Party Interventions (TPIs) provide useful information for those dealing with human rights cases (judicial or quasi-judicial mechanisms) that helps them reach legally-sound decisions. TPIs can have a significant impact on process, resulting in just outcomes and the advancement of international human rights law. Current and former members of the United Nations Human Rights Treaty Bodies (UNTBs) have acknowledged the extent to which TPIs can be helpful, particularly on subjects where limited jurisprudence exists, and for legal matters that could benefit from additional context, research, and analysis.

Want to have a quick look at what's in it for you? Check out our animated video.

The use of Third Party Interventions by Treaty Bodies is growing. However, there is potential for significant development of this procedure, in light of how widespread their use is in regional instances such as the European Court of Human Rights and the Inter American Human Rights System.

This guide seeks to demystify and democratise the TPI procedure and thus widen the circle of those who can make use of it. It aims to do so by providing practical tools and tips on how to submit TPIs to the UNTBs. We hope you find it useful.

Speaking about the guide, UN Human Right’s Mahamane Cissé Gouro said: “I welcome this first manual for users of Treaty Bodies on the submission of Third Party Interventions. This new resource comes at a welcome moment with the emergence of dedicated procedures by the Treaty Bodies on Third Party Interventions in recent years. I trust that this guidance will facilitate the process for petitioners, especially if these procedures will ultimately be harmonised.”

We are grateful to Idheas for support with the Spanish translation, and Anna Devine for the French translation.