“The special procedures of the Human Rights Council are independent human rights experts with mandates to report and advise on human rights from a thematic or country-specific perspective. The system of Special Procedures is a central element of the United Nations human rights machinery and covers all human rights: civil, cultural, economic, political, and social.” (From OHCHR | Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council)
When significant human rights concerns arise in a country or in relation to a specific issue, the Human Rights Council the power to create a ‘Special Procedure’, with the aim of monitoring the implementation of human rights in relation to this specific country or issue. A Special Procedure can either be formed as a Working Group, or as an individual (ie, Special Rapporteur or Independent Expert). The mandate of any Special Procedure is threefold:
Annual thematic reports: They assess important and topical questions within the scope of their mandate and publish annual thematic reports containing recommendations to states. Special procedures report annually to the Human Rights Council. The majority of the mandates also report to the General Assembly.
Individual complaints and communications: They are competent to receive individual complaints and issue communications in order to ‘inquire into any substantial allegations transmitted to him or her and report his or her conclusions thereon’.
Country visits: They assess the implementation of human rights within the scope of their mandate.
Tibet campaigners have expressed deep concern following China’s rejection of almost 70% of the Tibet-specific recommendations put forward by governments aimed at improving
Activists slam Michelle Bachelet’s six-day visit for whitewashing repression against Uyghurs, Tibetans, Southern Mongolians, Hong Kongers and others 8 June
Activists warn the upcoming visit risks aiding Beijing’s attempts to whitewash repression against Tibetans, Uyghurs, Hong Kongers, Southern Mongolians and
Tibet Advocacy Coalition regrets US withdrawal from UN Human Rights Council, expressing fear that China’s bullying will prevail Contacts:Urgyen Badheytsang,
13 September 2016 Mr President,Director-General,Excellencies,Colleagues and Friends, I am honoured to address this first session of the Council's second decade.
Press Release: 18 November 2015[For Immediate Release] United Nations: China Raise False Information about Tenzin Delek Rinpoche’s Death Tibet, Uyghur and Southern
Joint Press Statement, for immediate release 12 November 2013High Resolution Photos & Video available: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/oj1zzswcwe6l67n/ne-1s55XrU 1 million stand for Tibet
Tibet campaigners have expressed deep concern following China’s rejection of almost 70% of the Tibet-specific recommendations put forward by governments aimed at improving
Activists slam Michelle Bachelet’s six-day visit for whitewashing repression against Uyghurs, Tibetans, Southern Mongolians, Hong Kongers and others 8 June
Activists warn the upcoming visit risks aiding Beijing’s attempts to whitewash repression against Tibetans, Uyghurs, Hong Kongers, Southern Mongolians and
Tibet Advocacy Coalition regrets US withdrawal from UN Human Rights Council, expressing fear that China’s bullying will prevail Contacts:Urgyen Badheytsang,
13 September 2016 Mr President,Director-General,Excellencies,Colleagues and Friends, I am honoured to address this first session of the Council's second decade.
Press Release: 18 November 2015[For Immediate Release] United Nations: China Raise False Information about Tenzin Delek Rinpoche’s Death Tibet, Uyghur and Southern
Joint Press Statement, for immediate release 12 November 2013High Resolution Photos & Video available: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/oj1zzswcwe6l67n/ne-1s55XrU 1 million stand for Tibet
