United Nations special rapporteur

Last updated March 30, 2024

Special rapporteur (or independent expert) is the title given to independent human rights experts whose expertise is called upon by the United Nations to report or advise on human rights from a thematic or country-specific perspective.^[1]^[2]

Depending on the specific mandate, there can also be working groups composed of an independent expert from each of the five UN regional groupings (Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, Eastern Europe, and the Western group).^[3] Their work falls within the scope of "special procedure" mechanisms under the United Nations Human Rights Council,^[1] and their contributions can advance human rights through a variety of activities, including, but not limited to improving access to redress, policy reform, mainstreaming human rights, raising human rights awareness, and acting to prevent or cease rights violations.

The mandate by the United Nations has been to "examine, monitor, advise, and publicly report" on human rights problems through "activities undertaken by special procedures, including responding to individual complaints, psychological operations and manipulation via the controlled media and academia, conducting studies, providing advice on technical cooperation at the country level, and engaging in general promotional activities."^[4]

Appointment authority

Appointed by the Human Rights Council of the UN, these mandate-holders act independently of governments and as such play an important role in monitoring sovereign nations and democratically elected governments and policies. The earliest such appointment was the 1980 Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances responding to Commission on Human Rights resolution 20 (XXXVI).^[5] The first special rapporteur, responsible for monitoring extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, began work in 1982 following the approval of Commission on Human Rights Resolution 1982/35.^[6]

Rapporteurs do not receive any financial compensation for their work from the United Nations, though they receive personnel and logistical support from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and are often backed by charities and corporations.

Each year, rapporteurs gather together for an annual meeting in Geneva, where they discuss issues of common interest, coordinate their work and meet with a range of stakeholders, including States and civil society organizations.^[7]

Role

Special rapporteurs often conduct fact-finding missions to countries to investigate allegations of human rights violations. They can only visit countries that have agreed to invite them.

Aside from fact-finding missions, rapporteurs regularly assess and verify complaints from alleged victims of human rights violations. Once a complaint is verified as legitimate, an urgent letter or appeal is sent to the government that has allegedly committed the violation. If no complaint has been made, rapporteurs may intervene on behalf of individuals and groups of people of their own accord.

Thematic special rapporteurs are typically appointed to serve for three years; after which their mandate may be extended for another three years. Country special rapporteurs are appointed to serve for one year; their term may be renewed every year.

Current thematic and country mandates

The Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council currently oversees 45 thematic and 13 specific country mandates for which it can assign special rapporteurs, independent experts, and working groups.^[8]

Title	Mandate established / last extended	Current mandate holder(s)	Next expected appointment	Former mandate holder(s)
Thematic Mandates (45)
Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent	2002 (CHR res. 2002/68) / 2020 (HRC res. 45/24)	Dominique Day (United States of America), appointed at HRC39 (September 2018)	Member from WEOG States: HRC57 (September 2024)	Marie-Evelyne Petrus (France), 2017- 2018 Mireille Fanon Mendès-France (France), 2011-2017 Linos-Alexandre Sicilianos (Greece), 2009 - 2011 Joe Frans (Sweden), 2002 - 2009
		Catherine S. Namakula (Uganda), appointed at HRC46 (March 2021)	Member from African States: HRC64 (March 2027)	Sabelo Gumedze (South Africa), 2014 - 2021 Maya Sahli (Algeria), 2008 - 2014 Peter Lesa Kasanda (Zambia), 2002 - 2008
		Miriam Ekiudoko (Hungary), appointed at HRC47 (June 2021)	Member from EEG States: HRC65 (June 2027)	Michal Balcerzak (Poland), 2014 - 2021 Mirjana Najćevska (The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia), 2008 - 2014 Irina Moroianu-Zlatescu (Romania), 2002 - 2008
		Sushil Raj (India), appointed at HRC47 (June 2021)	Member from AP States: HRC65 (June 2027)	Ricardo III Sunga (Philippines), 2014 - 2021 Monorama Biswas (Bangladesh), 2008 - 2014 George Nicolas Jabbour (Syrian Arab Republic), 2002 - 2008
		Barbara G. Reynolds, appointed at HRC48 (September 2021)	Member from GRULAC States: HRC66 (September 2027)	Ahmed Reid (Jamaica), 2015 - 2021 Verene Shepard (Jamaica), 2010 - 2015 Ralston Milton Nettleford (Jamaica), 2008 - 2010 Roberto Borges Martins (Brazil), 2002 - 2008
Independent Expert on the enjoyment of human rights of persons with albinism	2015 (HRC res. 28/6)/ 2020 (HRC res. 46/12)	Muluka-Anne Miti-Drummond (Zambia), appointed at HRC47 (June 2021)	HRC65 (June 2027)	Ikponwosa Ero (Nigeria), 2015 - 2021
Working Group on Arbitrary Detention	1991 (CHR res. 1991/42) / 2019 (HRC res. 42/22)	Elina Steinerte (Latvia), appointed at HRC33 (September 2016)	Member from EEG States: HRC51 (September 2022)	Vladimir Tochilovsky (Ukraine), March 2010 – October 2016 Aslan Abashidze (Russian Federation), 2008 - 2010 Tamas Ban (Hungary), 2001 – 2008 Petr Uhl (Czech Republic), 1992 - 2001
		Mumba Malilia (Zambia), appointed at HRC45 (September 2020)	Member from African States: HRC63 (September 2026)	Sètondji Roland Jean-Baptiste ADJOVI (Benin), 2014 - 2020 Malick El Hadji Sow (Senegal), 2008 – 2014 Leila Zerrougui (Algeria), 2001 - 2008 Laity Kama (Senegal), 1992 - 2001
		Miriam Estrada-Castillo (Ecuador), appointed at HRC45 (September 2020)	Member from GRULAC States: HRC63 (September 2026)	José Guevara (Mexico), 2014-2020 Roberto Garretón (Chile), 2008 – 2014 Soledad Villagra de Biedermann (Paraguay), 2002 - 2008 Roberto Garretón (Chile), 1992 - 2002
		Priya Gopalan (Malaysia), appointed at HRC46 (March 2021)	Member from AP States: HRC64 (March 2027)	Seong-Phil Hong (Republic of Korea), 2014 - 2021 Shaheen Sardar Ali (Pakistan), 2008 - 2014 Seyyed Mahammad Hashemi (Islamic Republic of Iran), 2002 - 2008 Kapil Sibal (India), 1992 - 2001
		Matthew Gillett (New Zealand), appointed at HRC49 (March 2022)	Member from WEOG States: HRC67 (March 2028)	Leigh Toomey (Australia), 2015-2022 Mads Andenæs (Norway), 2009 - 2015 Manuela Carmena (Spain), 2004 - 2009 Louis Joinet (France), 1992 – 2003
Working Group on the issue of human rights and transnational corporations and other business enterprises	2011 (HRC res. 17/4) / 2020 (HRC res. 44/15)	Pichamon Yeophatong (Thailand), appointed at HRC49 (March 2022)	Member from AP States: HRC67 (March 2028)	Surya Deva (India), 2016-2022 Puvan J. Selvanathan (Malaysia), 2011 – 2015.
		Vacant	Member from African States: HRC56 (June 2024)	Githu Muigai (Kenya), appointed at HRC38 (June 2018) Michael Addo (Ghana), 2011 – 2018
		Anita Ramasastry (United States of America), appointed at HRC32 (June 2016)	Member from WEOG States: HRC50 (June 2022)	Margaret Jungk (United States of America), 2011 – 2016
		Elzbieta Karska (Poland) appointed at HRC38 (June 2018)	Member from EEG States: HRC56 (June 2024)	Pavel Sulyandziga (Russian Federation), 2011 - 2018
		Fernanda Hopenhaym (Mexico), appointed at HRC48 (September 2021)	Member from GRULAC States: HRC66 (September 2027)	Dante Pesce (Chile), 2015 - 2021 Alexandra Guáqueta (Colombia), 2011 - 2015
			Member from GRULAC States: HRC66 (September 2027)	John Ruggie (Austria), 2005 – 2011 (SRSG)
Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights in the context of climate change	2021 (HRC res. 48/14)	Ian Fry (Tuvalu), appointed at HRC49 (March 2022)	HRC67 (March 2028)
Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights	2009 (HRC res. 10/23) / 2021 (HRC res. 46/9)	Alexandra Xanthaki (Greece), appointed at HRC48 (September 2021)	HRC66 (September 2027)	Karima Bennoune (United States of America), 2015 - 2021 Farida Shaheed (Pakistan), 2009 - 2015
Special Rapporteur on the right to development	2016 ( HRC res. 33/14) / 2019 (HRC res. 42/23)	Saad Alfarargi (Egypt), appointed at HRC34 (March 2017)	HRC52 (March 2023)
Special Rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities	2014 (HRC res. 26/20) / 2020 (HRC res. 44/10)	Gerard Quinn (Ireland), appointed at HRC45 (September 2020)	HRC63 (September 2026)	Catalina Devandas Aguilar (Costa Rica), 2014 - 2020
Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances	1980 (CHR res. 20 (XXXVI)) / 2020 (HRC res. 45/3)	Luciano Hazan (Argentina), appointed at HRC34 (March 2017)	Member from GRULAC States: HRC52 (March 2023)	Ariel Dulitzky (Argentina), 2010 - 2017 Santiago Corcuera Cabezut (Mexico), 2004 - 2009 Diego García-Sayán (Peru), 1988 - 2004 Luis Varela Quiros (Costa Rica), 1980 - 1987
		Aua Baldé (Guinea-Bissau), appointed at HRC45 (September 2020)	Member from African States: HRC63 (September 2026)	Houria Es Slami (Morocco), 2014 - 2020 Jeremy Sarkin (South Africa), 2008 - 2014 J'bayo Aekanye (Nigeria), 2000 - 2008 Jonas Foli (Ghana), 1981 - 1999 Kwadwo Faka Nyamekye (Ghana), 1980 - 1981
		Gabriella Citroni (Italy), appointed at HRC47 (June 2021)	Member from WEOG States: HRC65 (June 2027)	Bernard Duhaime (Canada), 2014 - 2021 Olivier de Frouville (France), 2008 - 2014 Stephen Toope (Canada), 2002 - 2008 Manfred Nowak (Austria), 1993 - 2001 Toine Van Dongen (The Netherlands), 1984 - 1993 Lord Mark Colville (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland), 1980 - 1983
		Angkhana Neelapaijit (Thailand), appointed at HRC49 (March)	Member from AP States: HRC67 (March 2028)	Tae-Ung Baik (Republic of Korea), 2015-2022 Osman EL Hajjé (Lebanon), 2009 – 2015 Saied Rajaie Khorasani (Islamic Republic of Iran), 2003 - 2009 Arnuar Zainal Abidin (Malaysia), 2001 - 2003 Agha Hilaly (Pakistan), 1981 - 2000 Waleed Sadi (Jordan), 1980 - 1981 Mohamed Redha Al-Jabiri (Iraq), 1980 - 1980
		Henrikas Mickevicius (Lithuania), appointed at HRC30 (September 2015)	Member from EEG States: HRC50 (June 2022)	Jasminka Dzumhur (Bosnia and Herzegovina), 2010 – 2015 Darko Gottlicher (Croatia), 2004 - 2009 Ivan Tosevski (The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia), 1980 - 2003
Special Rapporteur on the right to education	1998 (CHR res. 1998/33) / 2020 (HRC res. 44/3)	Koumbou Boly Barry (Burkina Faso), appointed at HRC32 (June 2016)	HRC50 (June 2022)	Kishore Singh (India), 2010 - 2016 Vernor Muñoz Villalobos (Costa Rica), 2004 - 2010 Katarina Tomasevski (Croatia), 1998 - 2004
Special Rapporteur on the issue of human rights obligations relating to the enjoyment of a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment	2012 (HRC res. 19/10) / 2021 HRC res. 46/7)	David Richard Boyd (Canada), appointed at HRC38 (June 2018)	HRC56 (June 2024)	John H. Knox (United States of America), 2012-2018
Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions	1982 (CHR res. 1982/35) / 2020 (HRC res. 44/5)	Morris Tidball-Binz (Chile), appointed at HRC 46 (March 2021)	HRC64 (June 2027)	Agnès Callamard (France), 2016 - 2021 Christof Heyns (South Africa), 2010 - 2016 Philip Alston (Australia), 2004 - 2010 Asma Jahangir (Pakistan), 1998 - 2004 Bacre Waly Ndiaye (Senegal), 1992 - 1998 Amos Wako (Kenya), 1982 - 1992
Special Rapporteur on the right to food	2000 (CHR res. 2000/10) / 2019 (HRC res. 40/7)	Michael Fakhri (Lebanon), appointed at HRC43 (March 2020)	HRC61 (March 2026)	Hilal Elver (Turkey), 2014 – 2020 Olivier De Schutter (Belgium), 2008 – 2014 Jean Ziegler (Switzerland), 2000 – 2008
Independent Expert on the effects of foreign debt and other related international financial obligations of States on the full enjoyment of all human rights, particularly economic, social and cultural rights	2000 (CHR res. 2000/82)) / 2020 (HRC res. 43/10)	Attiya Waris (Kenya), appointed at HRC47 (June 2021)	HRC65 (March 2027)	Yuefen Li (China), 2020 - 2021 Juan Pablo Bohoslavsky (Argentina), 2014 - 2020 Dr. Cephas Lumina (Zambia), 2008 – 2014 Bernards Andrew Nyamwaya Mudho (Kenya), 2002 - 2008 Fantu Cheru (United States of America/Ethiopia), 2000 – 2002
Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression	1993 (CHR res. 1993/45) / 2020 (HRC res. 43/4)	Irene Khan (Bangladesh), appointed at HRC44 (June 2020)	HRC62 (June 2026)	David Kaye (United States of America), 2014 -2020 Frank William La Rue (Guatemala), 2008 - 2014 Ambeyi Ligabo (Kenya), 2002 -2008 Abid Hussain (India), 1993 - 2002
Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association	2010 (HRC res. 15/21) / 2019 (HRC res. 41/12)	Clément Nyaletsossi Voule (Togo) appointed at HRC37 (March 2018)	HRC55 (March 2024)	Annalisa Ciampi (Italy), 2017 Maina Kiai (Kenya), 2011 – 2017
Special Rapporteur on the implications for human rights of the environmentally sound management and disposal of hazardous substances and wastes	1995 (CHR res. 1995/81) / 2020 (HRC res. 45/17)	Marcos A. Orellana (Chile), appointed at HRC44 (June 2020)	HRC62 (June 2026)	Baskut Tuncak (Turkey), 2014 - 2020 Marc Pallemaerts (Belgium), 2012 – 2014 Călin Georgescu (Romania), 2010 - 2012 Okechukwu Ibeanu (Nigeria), 2004 - 2010 Fatma-Zohra Ouhachi-Vesely (Algeria), 1995 - 2004
Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health	2002 (CHR res. 2002/31) / 2019 (HRC res. 42/16)	Tlaleng Mofokeng (South Africa), appointed at HRC 44 (June 2020)	HRC62 (June 2026)	Dainius Pūras (Lithuania), 2014 - 2020 Anand Grover (India), 2008 - 2014 Paul Hunt (New Zealand), 2002 - 2008
Special Rapporteur on adequate housing as a component of the right to an adequate standard of living	2000 (CHR res. 2000/9) / 2020 (HRC res. 43/14)	Balakrishnan Rajagopal (United States of America), appointed at HRC43 (March 2020)	HRC61 (March 2026)	Leilani Farha (Canada), 2014 – 2020 Raquel Rolnik (Brazil), 2008 – 2014 Miloon Kothari (India), 2000 – 2008
Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders	2000 (CHR res. 2000/61) / 2020 (HRC res. 43/16)	Mary LAWLOR (Ireland), appointed at HRC43 (March 2020)	HRC61 (March 2026)	Michel Forst (France), 2014 – 2020 Margaret Sekaggya (Uganda), 2008 – 2014 Hina Jilani (Pakistan), 2000 – 2008 (SRSG)
Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers	1994 (CHR res. 1994/41) / 2020 (HRC res. 44/9)	Margaret L. Satterthwaite (US), appointed in October 2022		Diego García-Sayán (Peru), 2016 – 2022 Mónica Pinto (Argentina), 2015 – 2016. Gabriela Knaul (Brazil), 2009 – 2015 Leandro Despouy (Argentina), 2003 - 2009 Param Cumaraswamy (Malaysia), 1994 - 2003
Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples	2001 (CHR res. 2001/57) / 2019 (HRC res. 42/20)	José Francisco CALÍ TZAY (Guatemala), appointed at HRC43 (March 2020)	HRC61 (March 2026)	Victoria Tauli-Corpuz (Philippines), 2014 – 2020 James Anaya (United States of America), 2008 – 2014 Rodolfo Stavenhagen (Mexico), 2001 – 2008
Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons	2004 (CHR res. 2004/55) / 2019 (HRC res. 41/15)	Cecilia Jimenez-Damary (Philippines), appointed at HRC33 (September 2016)	HRC51 (September 2022)	Chaloka Beyani (Zambia), 2010 - 2016 Walter Kälin (Switzerland), 2004 – 2010 (SRSG) Francis Deng (Sudan), 1992 – 2004 (SRSG)
Independent expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order	2011 (HRC res. 18/6) / 2020 (HRC res. 45/4)	Livingstone Sewanyana (Uganda), appointed at HRC37 (March 2018)	HRC55 (March 2024)	Alfred-Maurice de Zayas (United States of America), 2012 – 2018
Independent Expert on human rights and international solidarity	2005 (CHR res. 2005/55) / 2020 (HRC res. 44/11)	Obiora C. Okafor (Nigeria), appointed at HRC35 (June 2017)	HRC53 (June 2023)	Virginia Dandan (Philippines), 2011 - 2017 Rudi Muhammad Rizki (Indonesia), 2005 - 2011
Special Rapporteur on the elimination of discrimination against persons affected by leprosy and their family members	2017 (HRC res. 35/9) / 2020 (HRC res. 44/6)	Alice Cruz (Portugal), appointed at HRC36 (September 2017)	HRC54 (September 2023)
Working Group on the use of mercenaries as a means of violating human rights and impeding the exercise of the right of peoples to self-determination	2005 (CHR res. 2005/2) / 2019 (HRC res. 42/9)	Chris Kwaja (Nigeria) appointed at HRC37 (March 2018)	Member from African States: HRC55 (March 2024)	Anton Katz (South Africa), 2011 – 2018 Najat AL-Hajjaji (Libyan Arab Jamahiriya), 2005 – 2011
		Carlos Alberto Salazar Couto (Peru), appointed at HRC49 (March 2022)	Member from GRULAC States: HRC67 (March 2024)	Lilian Bobea (Dominican Republic) 2018-2022 Patricia Arias (Chile), 2011 – 2018 Amada Benavides de Perez (Colombia), 2005 - 2011
		Jelena Aparac (Croatia) appointed at HRC37 (March 2018)	Member from EEG States: HRC55 (March 2024)	Elżbieta Karska (Poland), 2011 – 2018 Alexander Nikitin (Russian Federation), 2005 - 2011
		Sorcha MacLeod (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland), appointed at HRC38 (June 2018)	Member from WEOG States: HRC56 (June 2024)	Gabor Rona (United States of America/Hungary), 2011-2018 José Luis Gomez Del Prado (Spain), 2005 – 2011
		Ravindran Daniel (India), appointed at HRC45 (September 2020)	Member from AP States: HRC63 (September 2026)	Saeed Mokbil (Yemen), 2014 - 2020 Faiza Patel (Pakistan), 2010 – 2014 Shaista Shameem (Fiji), 2005 – 2010
			Member from AP States: HRC63 (September 2026)	Shaista Shameem (Fiji), 2004 – 2005 (SR) Enrique Bernales Ballesteros (Peru), 1987 – 2004 (SR)
Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants	1999 (CHR res. 1999/44) / 2020 (HRC res. 43/6)	Felipe González Morales (Chile) appointed at HRC35 (June 2017)	HRC53 (June 2023)	François Crepeau (Canada), 2011 - 2017 Jorge Bustamante [ es ] (Mexico), 2005 - 2011 Gabriela Rodriguez Pizarro (Costa Rica), 1999 - 2005
Special Rapporteur on minority issues	2005 (CHR res. 2005/79) / 2020 (HRC res. 43/8)	Fernand De Varennes (Canada), appointed at HRC35 (June 2017)	HRC53 (June 2023)	Rita Izsák-Ndiaye (Hungary), appointed at HRC17 (June 2011) Gay McDougall (United States of America), 2005 – 2011
Independent Expert on the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons	2013 (HRC res. 24/20) / 2019 (HRC res. 42/12)	Claudia Mahler (Austria), appointed at HRC43 (March 2020)	HRC61 (March 2026)	Rosa Kornfeld-Matte (Chile), 2014 - 2020
Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights	1998 (CHR res. 1998/25) / 2020 (HRC res. 44/13)	Olivier De Schutter (Belgium), appointed at HRC43 (March 2020)	HRC61 (March 2026)	Philip Alston (Australia), 2014 – 2020 Maria Magdalena Sepulveda Carmona (Chile), 2008 – 2014 Arjun Kumar Sengupta (India), 2004 - 2008 Anne-Marie Lizin (Belgium), 1999 – 2004
Special Rapporteur on the right to privacy	2015 (HRC res. 28/16)/ 2021 (HRC res. 46/6)	Ana Brian Nougreres (Uruguay), appointed at HRC47 (June 2021)	HRC65 (June 2027)	Joseph Cannataci (Malta), 2015- 2021
Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance	1993 (CHR res. 1993/20) / 2020 (HRC res. 43/36)	E. Tendayi Achiume (Zambia), appointed at HRC36 (September 2017)	HRC54 (September 2023)	Mutuma Ruteere (Kenya), 2011 - 2017 Githu Muigai (Kenya), 2008 - 2011 Doudou Diène (Senegal), 2002 - 2008 Maurice Glele-Ahanhanzo (Benin), 1993 - 2002
Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief	1986 (CHR res. 1986/20) / 2019 (HRC res. 40/10)	Ahmed Shaheed (Maldives), appointed at HRC32 (June 2016)	HRC50 (June 2022)	Heiner Bielefeldt (Germany), August 2010 – October 2016 Asma Jahangir (Pakistan), 2004 - 2010 Abdelfattah Amor (Tunisia), 1993 - 2004 Angelo D'Almeida Ribeiro (Portugal), 1986 - 1993
Special Rapporteur on the sale and sexual exploitation of children, including child prostitution, child pornography and other child sexual abuse material	1990 (CHR res. 1990/68) / 2020 (HRC res. 43/22)	Mama Fatima Singhateh (Gambia), appointed at HRC43 (March 2020)	HRC61 (March 2026)	Maud de Boer-Buquicchio (the Netherlands), 2014 – 2020 Najat Maalla M'jid (Morocco), 2008 – 2014 Juan Miguel Petit (Uruguay), 2001 - 2008 Ofelia Calcetas-Santos (Philippines), 1994 - 2001 Vitit Muntarbhorn (Thailand), 1991 – 1994
Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity	2016 (HRC res. 32/2) / 2019 (HRC res. 41/18)	Victor Madrigal-Borloz (Costa Rica), appointed at HRC Organisational Session December 2017	HRC54 (September 2023)	Vitit Muntarbhorn (Thailand), 2016 - 2017
Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery, including its causes and its consequences.	2007 (HRC res. 6/14) / 2019 HRC res. 42/10)	Tomoya OBOKATA (Japan), appointed at HRC43 (March 2020)	HRC61 (March 2026)	Urmila Bhoola (South Africa), 2014 – 2020 Gulnara Shahinian (Armenia), 2008 – 2014
Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism	2005 (CHR res. 2005/80) / 2019 (HRC res. 40/16)	Ben Saul (Australia), appointed at HRC54 (November 2023)	HRC62 (June 2026)	Fionnuala Ní Aoláin (Ireland), 2017 - 2023 Ben Emmerson (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland), 2011 - 2017 Martin Scheinin (Finland), 2005 - 2011
Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment	1985 (CHR res. 1985/33) / 2020 (HRC res. 43/20)	Vacant	HRC51 (September 2022)	Nils Melzer (Switzerland), 2016 – 2022 Juan E. Méndez (Argentina), 2010 - 2016 Manfred Nowak (Austria), 2004 - 2010 Theo VAN BOVEN (The Netherlands), 2001 - 2004 Sir Nigel Rodley (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland), 1993 - 2001 Pieter Kooijmans (The Netherlands), 1985 - 1993
Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially women and children	2004 (CHR res. 2004/110) / 2020 (HRC res. 44/4)	Siobhán Mullally (Ireland), appointed at HRC 44 (June 2020)	HRC62 (June 2026)	Maria Grazia Giammarinaro (Italy), 2014 - 2020 Joy Ezeilo (Nigeria), 2008 - 2014 Sigma Huda (Bangladesh), 2004 - 2008
Special Rapporteur on the promotion of truth, justice, reparation & guarantees of non-recurrence	2011 (HRC res. 18/7) / 2020 (HRC res. 45/10)	Fabián Salvioli (Argentina), appointed at HRC37 (March 2018)	HRC55 (March 2024)	Pablo de Greiff (Colombia), 2012 – 2018
Special Rapporteur on the negative impact of unilateral coercive measures on the enjoyment of human rights	2014 (HRC res. 27/21) / 2020 (HRC res. 45/5)	Alena Douhan (Belarus), appointed at HRC43 (March 2020)	HRC 61 (March 2026)	Idriss Jazairy (Algeria), 2015-2020
Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences	1994 (CHR res. 1994/45)/ 2019 (HRC res. 41/17)	Reem Alsalem (Jordan), appointed at HRC47 (June 2021)	HRC65 (June 2027)	Dubravka Šimonović (Croatia), 2015 - 2021 Rashida Manjoo (South Africa), 2009 – 2015 Yakin Ertürk (Turkey), 2003 - 2009 Radhika Coomaraswamy (Sri Lanka), 1994 - 2003
Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation	2008 (HRC res. 7/22) / 2019 (HRC res. 42/5)	Pedro Arrojo-Agudo (Spain), appointed at HRC45 (September 2020)	HRC63 (September 2026)	Léo Heller (Brazil), 2014 – 2020 Catarina de Albuquerque (Portugal), 2008 - 2014
Working Group on discrimination against women and girls	2010 (HRC res. 15/23) / 2019 (HRC res. 41/6)	Elizabeth Broderick (Australia), appointed HRC36 (September 2017)	Member from WEOG States: HRC54 (September 2023)	Frances Raday (Israel/United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland), 2011 - 2017
		Meskerem Techane (Ethiopia), appointed HRC36 (September 2017)	Member from African States: HRC54 (September 2023)	Emna Aouij (Tunisia), 2011 - 2017
		Ivana Radačić (Croatia), appointed HRC36 (September 2017)	Member from EEG States: HRC54 (September 2023)	Eleonora Zielinska (Poland), 2011 - 2017
		Melissa Upreti (Nepal), appointed HRC36 (September 2017)	Member from AP States: HRC54 (September 2023)	Kamala Chandrakirana (Indonesia), 2011 - 2017
		Dorothy Estrada-Tanck (Mexico), appo	Member from GRULAC States: HRC63 (September 2026)	Alda Facio (Costa Rica), 2014 - 2020 Patricia Olamendi Torres (Mexico) 2012 – 2013 Mercedes Barquet (Mexico), 2011 – 2012
Country Mandates (13)^[9]
Title	Mandate established / last extended	Current Mandate Holder(s)	Next expected appointment	Former Mandate Holder(s)
Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Belarus	2012 (HRC res. 20/13) / 2021 (HRC res. 47/19)	Anaïs Marin (France), appointed at HRC39 (September 2018)	HRC57 (September 2024)	Miklós Haraszti (Hungary), 2012-2018 Adrian Severin (Romania), 2004 – 2007
Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Burundi	2021 (HRC res. 48/16)	Fortuné Gaetan Zongo (Burkina Faso), appointed at HRC49 (March 2022)	HRC67 (March 2028)
Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia	1993 (CHR res. 1993/6) / 2021 (HRC res. 48/23)	Vitit Muntarbhorn (Thailand), appointed at HRC46 (March 2021)	HRC64 (March 2027)	Rhona Smith (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland), 2015 - 2021 Surya Subedi (Nepal), 2009 - 2015 Yash Ghai (Kenya), 2005 - 2008 Peter Leuprecht (Austria), 2000 - 2005 Thomas Hammerberg (Sweden), 1996 - 2000 Michael Kirby (Australia), 1993 - 1996
Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Central African Republic	2013 (HRC res. S-20/1 and HRC res. 24/34) / 2021 (HRC res. 48/19)	Yao Agbetse (Togo), appointed at the HRC42 (September 2019)	HRC60 (September 2025)	Marie-Thérèse Keita Bocoum (Côte d'Ivoire), (2014-2019)
Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea	2004 (CHR res. 2004/13) / 2021 (HRC res. 46/17)	Elizabeth Salmon (Peru)	??	Tomás Ojea Quintana (Argentina), 2016 - 2022 Marzuki Darusman (Indonesia), 2010 - 2016 Vitit MUNTARBHORN (Thailand), 2004 - 2010
Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Eritrea	2012 (HRC res. 20/20) / 2021 (HRC res. 47/2)	Mohamed Abdelsalam Babiker (Sudan), appointed at HRC45 (September 2020)	HRC63 (September 2026)	Daniela Kravetz (Chile), 2018 - 2020 Sheila Keetharuth (Mauritius), 2012 - 2018
Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran	2011 (HRC res. 16/9) / 2021 (HRC res. 46/18)	Javaid Rehman (Pakistan), appointed at HRC38 (June 2018)	HRC56 (June 2024)	Asma Jahangir (Pakistan), 2016 – 2018 Ahmed Shaheed (Maldives), August 2011 – October 2016 Maurice Copithorne (Canada), 1995 – 2002 Reynaldo Galindo Pohl (El Salvador), 1993 - 1995
Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Mali	2013 (HRC res. 22/18) / 2021 (HRC res. 46/28)	Alioune Tine (Senegal), appointed at HRC37 (March 2018)	HRC55 (March 2024)	Suliman Baldo (Sudan), 2013 – 2018
Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar	1992 (CHR res. 1992/58) / 2021 (HRC res. 46/21)	Thomas H. Andrews (United States of America), appointed at HRC43 (March 2020)	HRC61 (March 2026)	Yanghee Lee (Republic of Korea), 2014 – 2020 Tomás Ojea Quintana (Argentina), 2008 – 2014 Paulo Sérgio Pinheiro (Brazil), 2002 - 2008 Rajsoomer Lallah (Mauritius), 1996 - 2000 Yozo Yokuta (Japan), 1992 – 1996
Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967	1993 (CHR res. 1993/2A - until the end of the Israeli occupation)	Francesca P. Albanese (Italy), appointed at HRC49 (March 2022)	HRC67 (March 2028)	Stanley Michael Lynk (Canada), 2016-2022 Makarim Wibisono (Indonesia), 2014 - 2016 Richard Falk (United States of America), 2008 – 2014 John Dugard (South Africa), 2001 - 2008 Giorgio Giacomelli (Switzerland), 1999 - 2001 Hannu Halinen (Finland), 1995 - 1999 René Felber (Switzerland), 1993 - 1995
Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Somalia	1993 (CHR res. 1993/86) / 2021 (HRC res. 48/22)	Isha Dyfan (Sierra Leone), appointed at HRC43 (March 2020)	HRC61 (March 2026)	Bahame Nyanduga (Tanzania), 2014 – 2020 Shamsul Bari (Bangladesh), 2008 – 2014 Ghanim Alnajjar (Kuwait), 2001 - 2008 Mona Rishmawi (Palestine), 1996 - 2000 Mohamed Charfi (Tunisia), 1995 - 1996 Fanuel Jariretundu Kozonguizi (Namibia), 1993 – 1994
Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Syrian Arab Republic	2011 (18th Special Session of the HRC S-18/1)	Paulo Sérgio Pinheiro (Brazil) - will start once the mandate of the commission of inquiry ends

Reception

In June 2006, the United Nations Human Rights Council, which replaced the UN Commission on Human Rights, extended the mandates of all special rapporteurs by one year to enable it to conduct a review of the mandates and seek ways of strengthening their roles. However, special rapporteurs for countries which did not approve a special rapporteur came under question and the mandates of the special rapporteurs for Cuba and Belarus were not renewed.^{[ citation needed ]}

Other controversies between the special rapporteurs and the council include the introduction of a code of conduct which initially disallowed the special rapporteurs from addressing the media. However a compromise was reached and a code of conduct now exists for the special rapporteurs.^[4] Recently, the funding of the special rapporteurs was also questioned, as several special rapporteurs appear to be partly funded by universities and private actors. The Ford Foundation and the Open Society Foundations for instance have granted extensive financial and material support to specific rapporteurs, which could question the independence of their work. Furthermore, 52 of the 222 mandate holders since 2010 exercise, or have exercised responsibilities in the Open Society Foundations or an NGO funded by the Open Society or the Ford Foundation.^[10] One must remain conscious that it is hard to prove objectively the influence resulting from such support.^{[ citation needed ]}^{[ original research? ]} However, Open Society Foundations openly acknowledges that it wanted to influence a special rapporteur in a grant given to The Center for Women's Global Leadership in 2017.^[11]

According to special rapporteurs themselves, this situation is favored by the lack of means provided by the OHCHR. The specific funding of some mandates raises the inequality between them: while some struggle to pay operating costs, others are able to organize conferences across the globe to promote their work.

Related Research Articles

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The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) is a United Nations body whose mission is to promote and protect human rights around the world. The Council has 47 members elected for staggered three-year terms on a regional group basis. The headquarters of the Council are at the United Nations Office at Geneva in Switzerland.

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References

1 2 "OHCHR | Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council". OHCHR. Retrieved 2022-08-05.
↑ "Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council". ISHR. Retrieved 2022-08-05.
↑ "UNSDG | UN Special Procedures". unsdg.un.org. Retrieved 2022-08-05.
1 2 "Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council Archived 2020-09-26 at the Wayback Machine ". Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. ohchr.org. Retrieved 2016-10-27.
↑ "20 (XXXVI). Question of missing and disappeared persons" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2022-06-13.
↑ https://uvallsc.s3.amazonaws.com/travaux/s3fs-public/E-1982-12__E-CN_4-1982-30.pdf
↑ "OHCHR | 26th Annual Meeting, 17 to 21 June 2019". www.ohchr.org. Retrieved 2020-04-14.
↑ Special Procedures of the UN Human Rights Council Archived 2020-02-08 at the Wayback Machine Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council, United National Human Rights Commission, August 17, 2017.
↑ "Special procedures Country visits". spinternet.ohchr.org. Retrieved 2022-08-05.
↑ "The 'scandal' of foundation support for UN human rights Special Procedures, a response". 3 September 2021.
↑ "Open Society Foundations - Awarded Grants, Scholarships, and Fellowships - Open Society Foundations. Retrieved 2023-02-21".

External links

Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council at the United Nations Human Rights Council
BBC News Special on Special Rapporteurs
Human Rights Special Procedures: Determinants of Influence Universal Rights Group 2014
History of the United Nations Special Procedures Mechanism: Origins, Evolution and Reform Universal Rights Group 2014
The Role of the UN Special Rapporteur

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Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
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[ohchr.org-1] 1 2 "OHCHR | Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council". OHCHR. Retrieved 2022-08-05.

[2] "Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council". ISHR. Retrieved 2022-08-05.

[3] "UNSDG | UN Special Procedures". unsdg.un.org. Retrieved 2022-08-05.

[special-procedures-4] 1 2 "Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council Archived 2020-09-26 at the Wayback Machine ". Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. ohchr.org. Retrieved 2016-10-27.

[5] "20 (XXXVI). Question of missing and disappeared persons" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2022-06-13.

[6] ttps://uvallsc.s3.amazonaws.com/travaux/s3fs-public/E-1982-12__E-CN_4-1982-30.pdf

[7] "OHCHR | 26th Annual Meeting, 17 to 21 June 2019". www.ohchr.org. Retrieved 2020-04-14.

[8] Special Procedures of the UN Human Rights Council Archived 2020-02-08 at the Wayback Machine Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council, United National Human Rights Commission, August 17, 2017.

[9] "Special procedures Country visits". spinternet.ohchr.org. Retrieved 2022-08-05.

[10] "The 'scandal' of foundation support for UN human rights Special Procedures, a response". 3 September 2021.

[11] "Open Society Foundations - Awarded Grants, Scholarships, and Fellowships - Open Society Foundations. Retrieved 2023-02-21".

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v t e United Nations special rapporteurs
Countries and territories	Burundi (Fortuné Gaetan Zongo) Cambodia (Vitit Muntarbhorn) Iran (Javaid Rehman) Myanmar (Tom Andrews) North Korea (Elizabeth Salmón) Palestine (Francesca Albanese) Somalia (Isha Dyfan)
Thematic mandates	Adequate Housing (Balakrishnan Rajagopal) Contemporary Forms of Slavery (Tomoya Obokata) Cultural Rights (Alexandra Xanthaki) Democratic and Equitable International Order (Livingstone Sewanyana) Education (Farida Shaheed) Effects of Economic Reform Policies and Foreign Debt on Human Rights (Attiya Waris) Extrajudicial, Summary or Arbitrary Executions (Morris Tidball-Binz) Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and Association (Clément Nyaletsossi Voule) Freedom of Opinion and Expression (Irene Khan) Freedom of Religion or Belief (Nazila Ghanea) Human Rights Defenders (Mary Lawlor) Independence of Judges and Lawyers (Margaret Satterthwaite) Minority Issues (Fernand de Varennes) Negative Impact of the Unilateral Coercive Measures on the Enjoyment of Human Rights (Alena Douhan) Physical and Mental Health (Tlaleng Mofokeng) Protecting Human Rights while Countering Terrorism (Ben Saul) Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance (Ashwini K.P.) Right to Food (Michael Fakhri) Sale and Sexual Exploitation of Children (Najat Maalla M'jid) Torture (Alice Jill Edwards) Trafficking in Persons (Siobhán Mullally) Truth, Justice, Reparation and Guarantees of non-Recurrence (Fabián Salvioli) Violence against Women (Reem Alsalem) Human Rights and Access to Safe Drinking Water and Sanitation (Pedro Arrojo Agudo) Human Rights and International Solidarity (Cecilia Bailliet) Human Rights and the Illicit Movement of Toxic Waste (Marcos A. Orellana) Human Rights and Transnational Corporations and other Business Enterprises (Damilola Olawuyi) Human Rights of Indigenous People (Francisco Cali Tzay) Human Rights of Internally Displaced Persons (Paula Gaviria Betancur) Human Rights of Migrants (François Crépeau) Human Rights and the Environment (David Boyd)
United Nations special rapporteurs bear mandates from the United Nations Human Rights Council and may hold the titles special rapporteur, independent expert or special representative of the Secretary-General, and are also referred to simply as mandate-holders.