Civil society organisations call for strengthening the Special Procedures system

The work of the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council is essential to promote, protect and contribute to the realisation of human rights, as well as to accountability for violations and abuses. For many human rights defenders, victims and survivors of violations, the Special Procedures provide an indispensable avenue to expose violations and seek justice. Special Procedures also provide expert guidance to both State and non-State actors on their obligations under international human rights law.  

This joint submission to the 2024 Annual Meeting of Special Procedures builds on submissions made in prior years both by individual organisations and as part of a coalition of civil society organisations. While progress has been made over the years in particular areas, we believe that many of the central recommendations about the system and its working methods remain relevant. 

Specifically, the submission provides recommendations aimed at the institutional strengthening of the Special Procedures, including enhancing transparency, coordination and cooperation with all stakeholders. It also suggests means of strengthening the system’s working methods to improve its effectiveness and enhance civil society engagement and the system’s relevance to actors on the ground. 

ISHR also delivered a joint statement on behalf of 15 other organisations during the Special Procedures meeting with civil society, on 13 December, that built on the written statement. Among other things, the statement highlighted that diverse civil society participation, particularly from those outside of Geneva cannot be an afterthought and efforts should be made to ensure that those who wish to engage can do so remotely, including through video statements, with interpretation in UN languages, and accessibility measures such as sign language interpretation and closed captioning.

The annual meeting of Special Procedures is an important commitment by the system to reflect on its internal workings and capacity to improve coordination. It is also a critical opportunity for interaction between mandate holders and various stakeholders on a range of procedural and substantive issues. 

Through these statements, ISHR and partner organisations reaffirmed their commitment to constructive engagement with the system of Special Procedures and reiterated our calls for States to respect, protect and promote the independence and effectiveness of mandate holders, including by ensuring the resources necessary to fulfil their vital mandates.

Read the full joint written submission here.

Read the statement delivered in the meeting with Special Procedures here.