Guide to International Human Rights Mechanisms - Brookings

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Go To Part I II III IV V International Mechanisms | UN Bodies Tel: + 41 22 917 94 13 Fax: +41 22 917 90 08 E-mail: urgent-action@ohchr.org (include the name of mechanism in the subject line) for more information The Special Rapporteur’s website: www.ohchr.org/english/issues/indigenous/rapporteur/index.htm Independent Expert on Minority Issues Background This Independent Expert is mandated to: (1) promote the implementation of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities, (2) identify best practices and possibilities for technical cooperation by OHCHR, (3) apply a gender perspective in his or her work, (4) cooperate with other UN bodies, mandates and mechanisms, and regional organizations, and (5) take into account the views of non-governmental organizations. The Independent Expert will report annually to the Human Rights Council including on “strategies for the better implementation of the rights of persons belonging to minorities.” evaluation Because IDPs are frequently members of minority groups that have suffered discrimination, this mandate has the potential to be of some benefit to IDPs, as the expert is asked to formulate strategies concerning minority rights and these might feasibly address prevention and mitigation of displacement. Included in the expert’s mandate is consultation with NGOs, so it is likely that informal access will be assured. for more information Independent Expert on Minorities Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights OHCHR-UNOG 8-14 Avenue de la Paix 1211 Geneva 10 Switzerland Fax: +41 22 917 90 06 Website: www.ohchr.org Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Human Rights Defenders Background This Special Representative is concerned with the protection of human rights defenders, meaning “individuals, groups and associations … contributing to … the effective elimination of all violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms of peoples and individuals.” 38 The Special Representative reads this definition broadly to include not only non-governmental or 38 Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, A/RES/53/144. Guide to International Human Rights Mechanisms for Internally Displaced Persons and their Advocates 102
Go To Part I II III IV V International Mechanisms | UN Bodies intergovernmental organizations but also relatives of victims of human rights abuses, community members, members of the private sector, and even government officials, to the extent that they work to protect or promote human rights. The Special Representative acts through country visits, organizing workshops and seminars, reporting to the Human Rights Council (page 49) and the General Assembly, and transmitting letters concerning individual cases to governments (including “urgent appeals” for imminent violations and “allegation letters” where the violation has already occurred). What you can Do You can submit communications to the Special Representative about arrest, harassment, threats and/or other types of suppression of the activities of human rights defenders, including those advocating for IDPs. You can also suggest that the Special Representative undertake a country visit for extended dialogue with authorities and other parties on this issue. evaluation Those who work to assist and advocate for IDPs are frequently themselves at risk of repression. Similarly, IDP leaders may be targeted for their advocacy on behalf of the group. While the Special Representative does not specifically focus on humanitarian NGOs, she has highlighted her concern about the increasing targeting of international humanitarian workers 39 and of defenders operating in emergency situations. The Special Representative will act not only on obvious cases of arrest, prosecution, torture and harassment of human rights defenders by public officials, but also more subtle forms of oppression, such as withdrawal of legal licenses, or failure to move to prevent harassment or attack from nonstate actors such as paramilitary groups. The Special Representative maintains a high volume of correspondence with governments, including both urgent appeals and allegation letters. Who may submit communications Anyone may submit communications to the Special Representative. competence The Special Representative is empowered to address issues in any UN member state. exhaustion of Domestic remedies The Special Representative does not require a showing of exhaustion of local remedies. Duplication of Procedures The Special Representative does not bar duplication of procedures. Time issues Where appropriate in the circumstances, the Special Representative will issue urgent appeals on an expedited basis. The Special Representative seeks state replies within two weeks of an urgent appeal. There is no time limit for submission of communications to the Special Representative. language and format Communications must be in writing and may be in any of the official UN languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian or Spanish. There is no required format for submitting communications but the Special Representative has issued “guidelines” which are reproduced below (page 105), but at a minimum, information provided should include the name of the person whose rights have been infringed, identification of the perpetrators, identification of the 39 E.g. E/CN.4/2005/101, para. 20. Guide to International Human Rights Mechanisms for Internally Displaced Persons and their Advocates 10
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The Brookings insTiTuTion - univers
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Foreword by the Representative of t
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Acronyms and Abbreviations TreaTies
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Introduction This guide is meant fo
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i. Background
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It is crucial to recall that it is
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III. General Considerations in Usin
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IV. Thematic Roadmap
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CHILDREN Go To Part I II III IV V C
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UN Bodies International Mechanisms
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Annex 1: The Guiding Principles on
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Guide to International Human Rights Mechanisms - Brookings

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