Illustration: Attic Media for ISHR
ISHR and its partners call for a transparent and merits-based selection of UN independent experts – one that considers diversity, lived experience, independence, and geographic balance.
In a letter sent to the Consultative Group and the President of the Human Rights Council, civil society organisations propose general criteria for the selection and appointment of new mandate holders at the upcoming 59th, 60th, and 61st sessions of the Human Rights Council.
The appointment of highly qualified and independent mandate holders 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. The selection and appointment of mandate holders through a transparent and merit-based process based on relevant expertise for the mandate in question and real and perceived independence, impartiality, personal integrity and objectivity are of crucial importance for the effective functioning of the mandates.
Organisations encourage the Consultative Group responsible for the selection process to apply both the letter and the spirit of these criteria when selecting and proposing candidates and to give due consideration to gender balance, equitable geographic representation, and an appropriate representation of experts of different legal systems and social backgrounds.
Read the letter and the complete checklist.
More information about the selection of Special Procedures can be found here.
Upcoming vacancies and calls for applications for Special Procedures mandates can be found here.
At a time of financial strife and ongoing reform for the organisation, States have adopted a 2026 budget cutting 117 jobs at the UN’s Human Rights Office. The final budget endorses proposed cuts that disproportionately target human rights, imperilling the UN’s ability to investigate grave abuses, and advance human rights globally.
ISHR and 37 human rights organisations in Latin America issued a joint statement condemning the United States military attack against Venezuela and expressing concern about the serious human rights situation in the country. Any solution to the crisis facing the country must be democratic, peaceful and negotiated, centred on respect for human rights, and prioritising the participation and decision-making power of Venezuelan society over its future.
In a landmark ruling against Burundi, the UN Committee against Torture has set a precedent on the protection of lawyers and human rights defenders engaging with UN mechanisms, affirming that reprisals for cooperating with the UN violate the Convention Against Torture.
