Documents describing the negotiation and drafting of a treaty are referred to as travaux préparatoires. As when locating drafting history materials, researchers seeking these preparatory materials are wise to first search for a compiled travaux préparatoires, either online (see example), or in print, and if one is not available, turning next to secondary sources that may discuss the treaty's drafting. If these time-saving resources are not available, or the researcher wishes to consult additional primary documents, identify any conference at which the treaty was discussed, and search for print or electronic records of the conference proceedings.
Resources
- UN Diplomatic ConferencesHosts records of conferences wherein several major multilateral treaties drafted by UN bodies (including the ILC and Sixth Committee) were negotiated and adopted. Examples of such treaties include the Vienna Conventions on Diplomatic and Consular Relations, the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.
- Sixth Committee (UN General Assembly Legal Committee)UN General Assembly members sit on six committees addressing different subject matters; the Sixth Committee addresses legal issues. As such, it is involved in drafting and recommending treaty instruments for the assembly's consideration.
- UN International Law Commission (ILC)The ILC is a body of legal experts including government officials, judges, diplomats, and scholars from various UN member states, whose mission is to develop and codify guiding principles of international law. The ILC meets annually, and publishes documentation of its sessions online. Open the Research menu to locate relevant documents and publications regarding treaties drafted by the ILC, or for which the ILC has provided recommendations. The ILC reports to the General Assembly via the Sixth Committee.
- Ad Hoc and Special Legal CommitteesIn certain instances, the Sixth Committee recommends that the General Assembly convene special or ad hoc committees to consider particular legal issues and develop instruments and principles on those topics.
The Refugees Convention, the travaux préparatoires analysed, with a commentary by Call Number: K3230 .R45 A34 1995ISBN: 0521472954
The UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples by ISBN: 0199673225
Guide to the Travaux Preparatories of the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women by Call Number: K3243 .R44 1993ISBN: 0792322223
Guide to the "Travaux Preparatoires" of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights by Call Number: K3238.3 1966 .B67 1987ISBN: 9024734673
The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights: A Perspective on its Development by Call Number: K3238.3 1966 .C73 1995ISBN: 0198258747
Final record of the Diplomatic Conference of Geneva of 1949 by Call Number: KZ6490.3 .A2 2004ISBN: 1575888394- Actes et documents de la ... session / Conférence de La Haye de droit international privé byCall Number: K7054 .A24 A27
