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.
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.
Download as PDF
On 9-10 April, ISHR coorganised a consultation meeting in Lusaka, Zambia, in partnership with the Southern African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (SACCORD), to revitalise the process towards the adoption of a national law to promote and protect defenders.
The 83rd Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) will be held in Banjul, The Gambia, from 2 to 22 May 2025. The session will be preceded by the NGO Forum, which will be held in hybrid format from 28 to 30 April.
From 7-10 April, the Latin American and Caribbean Forum on Environmental Human Rights Defenders brought together environmental defenders, Indigenous Peoples, civil society, and government representatives in Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis.
