IV. >> Illustrating the Framework - Indicators for Some Rights >> Considerations in preparing tables of indicators A. Considerations in preparing tables of indicators 1 Use of a standard format Given the framework adopted for identifying indicators, the use of a standardized template is inevitable and also desirable. The indicators have been developed in a matrix format, where the normative standard as captured in the attributes of a right are placed on the horizontal axis and the different categories of indicators, namely the configuration of structural, process and outcome indicators (defined in chap. II, sect. B) on the vertical axis (under each attribute) to permit a more systematic coverage of the realization of the right. For analytical convenience, in drawing up a table of indicators for a human right, the reference normative framework is the one directly related to that right. In other words, the attributes and indicators are anchored in the specific treaty provisions related to that right and the clarifications and elaboration of those provisions by the relevant treaty body and human rights mechanisms. For instance, for the right to life, indicators on the “health and nutrition” attribute (table 14) have been identified with reference to the normative content of the right to life and not in the light of the normative content of the right to health (table 3). Similarly, some aspects related to the entitlements of an individual to control one’s health and body and to be free from interference are developed as a part of the indicators on the right not to be subjected to torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment (table 4) and not in the context of the right to health. Some indicators appear in more than one table, because some human rights, such as the right to life, the right to health or the right to adequate food, share similar attributes. In each instance, the 72 Human Rights Indicators selected indicators essentially capture the normative content of that right. Such an approach, which may be seen as conservative from a human rights perspective, apparently overlooking the notion of the indivisibility of rights, aims to avoid overlaps, repetition and reduce the number of indicators, generally a central concern in any initiative on indicators. It could be argued that selecting structural, process and outcome indicators for the different attributes of a right may lead to a large number of indicators being identified. While this is potentially true, it can be overcome, firstly, by excluding indicators that do not rigorously meet the conceptual, methodological and empirical criteria outlined in chapters II and III, and, secondly, by applying some additional considerations in the final selection of indicators for each right. For instance, sometimes a single indicator may be adequate to cover more than one attribute of a right; in other cases several may be required to cover just one attribute. In such instances, to the extent that substantive conceptual requirements are met, indicators that capture more than one attribute of a right could be selected with a view to limiting their total number (e.g., the literacy rate will be relevant to more than one attribute of the right to education). Moreover, not all illustrative indicators developed for a right in this Guide need to be used. For example, the actual choice of indicators to monitor treaty compliance could be made by a State party in consultation with the treaty body concerned while taking into account the country’s context, its implementation priorities and statistical considerations on data availability.