
ISHR Academy: module on Special Procedures
Explore the purpose and mandates of the Special Procedures and how you can work with them to strengthen your advocacy
Words that were used to describe defenders during the launch of the report of the Special Rapporteur on HRDs, March 2023
We need a new Special Rapporteur for human rights defenders highly qualified and independent!
Human rights defenders are people who contribute to making the world a better and fairer place by promoting and protecting human rights. They speak truth to power and challenge governments that fail to respect and protect their citizens, companies that degrade and destroy the environment, and institutions that perpetuate privilege and patriarchy. As a result, they are often threatened and attacked by the very actors they seek to hold accountable.
The UN has an expert appointed specifically for human rights defenders. Their role is essential: they promote the work of those who defend human rights and they protect defenders at risk. The Special Rapporteur serves in a voluntary capacity and is independent of the UN, States and non-governmental organisations. As other Special Rapporteurs, they are tasked by the UN to monitor and report on human rights situations around the world. They also provide advice and recommendations for the implementation of those rights.
In March 2026, the UN Human Rights Council (the Council) will appoint the next Special Rapporteur on the situation of Human Rights Defenders.
ISHR and partners are campaigning so the new person appointed is independent, impartial, competent and expert and comes from a background that represents the diversity of our world. This is essential to ensuring a well-functioning system of Special Procedures, which, in turn, is of crucial importance to the functioning of the Human Rights Council.
We want those who might nominate candidates – individuals, civil society organisations, States and anyone involved in the process – to have all the tools available to put forward eligible and suitable candidates.
We also want the group of five high-level representatives who form the Consultative Group responsible for the selection process and the President of the Human Rights Council responsible for the final choice, to select and appoint a highly qualified and independent Special Rapporteur.
* ISHR does not support specific candidacies
Help us spread the word so more potential eligible and suitable candidates put their candidacies forward! Nominate highly qualified, independent individuals to take up the role!
(1) Complete the online survey (2) Submit the application form in Word The deadline for applications is 31 August 2025, noon Geneva time.
Apply nowCandidates must have the required expertise and experience in the field of the mandate, must be independent and impartial and show a high level of personal integrity and objectivity.
Prospective mandate holders should be aware that this is a voluntary, unpaid role. Mandate holders do not receive a salary or other financial compensation from the UN but receive travel expenses and substantive and technical support from OHCHR. This role requires a substantial time commitment from the individual, including readiness to travel and respond to urgent situations.
This Special Rapporteur will be expected to serve two terms of three years each, starting in 2026.
Special Rapporteurs of the Human Rights Council are appointed through a competitive and transparent process which involves:
The following stakeholders may nominate candidates:
All candidates must apply through the OHCHR online application system. It comprises a mandatory online survey and an application form in Word format, which includes a motivation letter. The online system will be made available here in mid-July 2025 with a deadline of late August.
Details and formalities about the nomination, selection and appointment of mandate holders are explained on the OHCHR website here.
OHCHR guidelines for preparing an application are available here.
Human rights defenders are people who are making the world a better and fairer place by promoting and protecting human rights. They are the eyes, ears and voices of our communities. As informed social justice leaders, they are essential partners in our shared journey towards equality, justice and peace on a healthy planet.
‘Human rights defenders are ordinary people who do extraordinary things. They work peacefully for the rights of others and help build civil and just societies based on the rule of law.’ Mary Lawlor, Special Rapporteur on the situation of HRDs (2020-2026)
The mandate was established in 2000 by the Commission on Human Rights (E/CN.4/RES/2000/61). It was later on extended by the Human Rights Council in 2011 (A/HRC/RES/16/5), 2014 (A/HRC/RES/25/18), 2017 (A/HRC/RES/34/5), 2020 (A/HRC/RES/43/16) and 2023 (A/HRC/RES/52/4).
The mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders plays a key role in the recognition and protection of those who promote and defend human rights.
The Special Rapporteur is mandated to:
The Special Rapporteur:
In its resolutions on the mandate, the Human Rights Council urges all governments to cooperate with the Special Rapporteur and to provide all information requested. Governments are also urged to implement and follow-up on the Special Rapporteur’s recommendations.
Since May 2020, Ms. Mary Lawlor (Ireland) is the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights. Her mandate will end in March 2026. The previous mandate holders were:
Explore the purpose and mandates of the Special Procedures and how you can work with them to strengthen your advocacy
The Declaration+25 supplements the UN Declaration on human rights defenders and together they form a comprehensive set of standards to protect the right to defend rights.
Model Law to to guide and assist states and other actors to ensure the full and effective implementation of the UN Declaration on human rights defenders at the national level.
Updated world map on legislative protection of human rights defenders. The map collates developments in national legal instruments related to defenders and compares existing and draft instruments with the standards set by the Model Law.