Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council
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“Special procedures” is the generic name given to the mechanisms established by the Human Rights Council to address either specific country situations or thematic issues.
Special procedures are usually constituted as either an individual (called a special rapporteur or representative or an independent expert) or a group of individuals, called a working group.
The mandates given to special procedure mechanisms usually involve examining, monitoring, advising, and publicly reporting on human rights situations in specific countries or territories, known as country mandates, or on major phenomena of human rights violations worldwide, known as thematic mandates. Various activities can be undertaken by special procedures, including conducting studies, providing advice on technical cooperation, responding to individual complaints, and engaging in general promotional activities.
Special rapporteurs and other mandate-holders undertake country visits (sometimes referred to as fact-finding missions) and report back to the Human Rights Council. These missions take place at the request of the relevant special procedure or at the invitation of the country concerned. Many countries have extended standing invitations to all thematic special procedures of the Council.
Persons are appointed as special rapporteurs, representatives, independent experts or members of a working group by the Chairperson of the Human Rights Council after consultation with Member States of the Council. The special procedures are independent, are not paid and serve in a personal capacity for a maximum of 6 years. Currently there are over 30 special procedures mechanisms.
(Adapted from Web site of Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights)
Do you want more information or assistance in relation to the special procedures? For more information please contact via E-mail Mr Peter Prove, or via fax no. +41/22-791 6630.
