Module 2: United Nations – Special Procedures
Expert: Eleanor Robb, Human Rights Officer, Special Procedures Branch, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
05.05.2025 | 12-13.30 CET
The class provides general information about the Special Procedures branch and how to engage with it, covering different types of communication, such as allegation letters and urgent appeals. Special attention is given to country visits and third-party interventions.
Special Procedures:
•Independent human rights experts, appointed by Human Rights Council.
• Mandated to report and advise on human rights from a thematic or
country-specific perspective.
• Undertake country visits.
• Act on individual cases of reported violations and concerns of a broader
nature by sending communications to States and others.
• Contribute to the development of international human rights standards.
• Engage in advocacy, raise public awareness, and provide advice for
technical cooperation.
Session structure:
- Thematic Reports: To clarify and raise awareness of key topics under the Special
Rapporteur’s mandate, including by documenting and sharing
information on policies and practices of different States, and to make
recommendations to States and other stakeholders on how to advance
their response to such issues. - Communications: Complaint, Verification, Communication, Reply, Press release
- Country Visits: They allow for the Special Rapporteur to visit countries and to meet with a wide range of stakeholders to gain an overview of the situation vis-à-vis the scope of the mandate.
- Other work, including third party interventions