Special procedures

Organizations call for improvements to working methods of UN experts

Civil society organizations from various parts of the world are calling for improvements to the working methods of United Nations special rapporteurs and independent experts. They argue that it is important for the special procedures to engage more with other international human rights mechanisms, for them to find ways to deal with non-cooperation by States and for more objective standards to be established for the selection and appointment of UN experts.

The document with recommendations was submitted during the 24th Annual Meeting of Special Procedures that took place in Geneva from June 27 to 30. The recommendations had originally been made at the 2016 meeting and were reiterated this year. The meeting of special procedures takes place annually and is attended by UN special rapporteurs and independent experts so they can discuss issues of common interest, coordinate their work and interact with States and civil society.

A total of thirty recommendations were presented with the intention of improving the work of the mandate holders. Some of the issues addressed were: engagement by States, the costs of non-cooperation, and country visits. “It is our aim that the following submission contribute towards enhancing the work of the special procedures system to promote and protect all human rights for all persons,” said the organizations.

The document was produced by ISHR (International Service for Human Rights) and signed by Conectas, Amnesty International, Forum Asia, the Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies, Civicus, the Global Initiative for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the International Commission of Jurists.

• Click here to read the document in full.