Guide to International Human Rights Mechanisms - Brookings

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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