NGO “Shadow” Reports
NGOs have the opportunity to submit information to the United Nations treaty bodies in the form of ‘shadow reports’. Shadow reports enable NGOs to comment on the content of the State parties’ periodic reports and to provide an ‘on the ground’ perspective on the extent to which State parties are complying with their obligations under the treaties.
Thus, the purpose of the Shadow Report on the Implementation of the CRPD is to provide the Committee with an NGO perspective on Australia's implementation of each of the articles of the CRPD. The drafting of the Shadow Report will require reviewing and analysing the Baseline Report outlining the Australian Government's efforts in implementing the CRPD.
NGOs are essential for the provision of reliable and independent information to UN committees that might not be reported on in the State parties own reports. Shadow Reports provide an important opportunity for NGOs to assist the treaty bodies to monitor the specific human rights situation in the State party in more depth and to provide useful and relevant Concluding Observations that can be used by NGOs in their advocacy with government.
There is no set format for the structure of shadow reports, however reports generally deal with each article separately and chronologically. Importantly, shadow reports should not only highlight particular issues but analyse those issues in a manner to promote effective change.
It is important the consultation process with respect to the Australian Government's efforts in implementing the CRPD incorporates the viewpoints of a wide range of NGOs as working in coalitions provides an effective way to ensure the Committee will gain a comprehensive view of the current status of disability rights in Australia.