Guide to International Human Rights Mechanisms - Brookings

Go To Part I II III IV V
International Mechanisms | UN Bodies
SPECIAL.ADVISOR.ON.THE.PREVENTION.OF.GENOCIDE
Background In 2004, the Secretary-General appointed a Special Advisor on the Prevention of Genocide,
with a mandate to collect existing information on potential or existing situations or threats of genocide,
act as an “early-warning mechanism” to the Security Council and other parts of the UN system, and to
make recommendations to the Security Council on steps to take to prevent or halt genocide.
What you can Do You can bring situations of potential or actual genocide to the attention of the
Special Advisor and urge him to raise the issue with national authorities, in the media, and with the
UN Security Council and other UN bodies.
evaluation The Special Advisor does not directly address individual cases but can be a useful
spokesperson for developing situations of ethnic, racial or other group-focused hatred and violence
that might lead to genocide. He has devoted particular attention to the situation in Darfur, Sudan,
since his appointment, noting in particular the need for better security for IDPs.
contact
Special Advisor on the Prevention of Genocide
United Nations Department of Political Affairs
New York, NY 10017
USA
for more information
Special Advisor’s website: http://www.un.org/Depts/dpa/prev_genocide/
SPECIAL.REPRESENTATIVE.OF.THE.SECRETARy-GENERAL..
ON.CHILDREN.IN.ARMED.CONFLICT
Background This Special Representative was appointed by the Secretary-General to address
this issue in response to a request in a resolution of the General Assembly. 42 She is devoted to
raising awareness of the plight of children affected by armed conflict, encouraging an improved
international response to their needs and advocating for their rights with governments, including
through public statements. He encourages normative development, undertakes country visits, and
organizes conferences and research. She reports annually to the General Assembly and the Human
Rights Council, and frequently briefs the Security Council and other UN bodies.
What you can Do You can bring issues related to displaced children affected by armed conflict
to the attention of the Special Representative, ask for her advocacy on these questions either with
national authorities and/or at the international level.
42 G.A. Res. 51/77. Although the Special Representative functions in many ways like a “Special Procedure” of the Commission on Human
Rights, she is not technically among them because the genesis of her mandate was in the General Assembly.
Guide to International Human Rights Mechanisms
for Internally Displaced Persons and their Advocates 11