Special Procedures

The Special Procedures system is a powerful, non-political mechanism that allows the UN to directly intervene on behalf of victims and push for the interpretation and implementation of international human rights law worldwide.

The Special Procedures system is often called the "eyes and ears" of the Human Rights Council. These are independent human rights experts who work on a pro bono basis (unpaid) to monitor, advise, and publicly report on human rights situations globally.

They are crucial because they can often act faster and more directly than the Member States of the Council themselves.

Here is a breakdown of the two main types of Special Procedures and how they operate:

👤 Who Are the Special Procedures Experts?

The experts are either:

Special Rapporteurs or Independent Experts (an individual expert).
Working Groups (a group of five experts, one from each UN regional group).

They are nominated and appointed by the Human Rights Council and serve in their personal capacity. This independent status is vital to ensure they can speak truthfully without fear of political reprisal or government pressure.

1. Thematic Mandates

These experts focus on a specific human right or issue across all countries. There are currently over 45 thematic mandates.

Example Mandates Focus

Special Rapporteur on Torture - Investigates allegations of torture and cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment in all countries.

Working Group on Arbitrary Detention - Examines cases of detention imposed arbitrarily or inconsistently with international human rights law.

Special Rapporteur on the Right to Health - Advises on legal and policy measures needed to ensure the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health.

Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders - Focuses on the rights and protection of people who defend human rights.

2. Country Mandates

These experts focus on the overall human rights situation within a specific country or territory where the Council determines the situation requires special attention. There are currently around 14 country-specific mandates.

🛠️ The Special Procedures' Toolbox

Special Procedures use four main tools to fulfill their mandates:

Country Visits - They visit countries (by invitation) to conduct fact-finding, meet with government officials, civil society, and victims, and make on-the-ground assessments.

Communications (Urgent Appeals) - They receive reports from NGOs, victims, and civil society, and send Urgent Appeals or Letters of Allegation to governments regarding alleged violations against individuals or groups, asking for clarification and action.

Thematic Reports - They submit annual reports to the Human Rights Council (and often the UN General Assembly) with in-depth analysis on their area of focus, offering recommendations to all UN Member States on how to improve legal and policy frameworks.

Advocacy and Public Statements - They issue press releases and public statements to raise international awareness about urgent human rights crises or specific cases, often acting as a critical early warning system.