Guide to International Human Rights Mechanisms - Brookings

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International Mechanisms | UN Bodies
international humanitarian law in the Palestinian territories, receive communications, hear witnesses,
and use such modalities of procedure as he may deem necessary for his mandate. 19
Independent Expert appointed by the Secretary-General on the situation of human rights in Somalia
Website: www.ohchr.org/english/countries/so/mandate/index.htm
Mandate: Assist the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Somalia through
development of a long-term program of advisory services for re-establishing human rights and
the rule of law, including a democratic constitution, as well as the eventual holding of periodic and
genuine elections by universal suffrage and secret ballot. 20
Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Sudan
Website: www.ohchr.org/english/countries/sd/mandate/index.htm
Mandate: Monitor the situation of human rights in the country. 21
(Note: This mandate was changed from an “independent expert” to a “special rapporteur” by
Resolution 2005/2 of the former Commission on Human Rights).
Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Uzbekistan
Website: www.ohchr.org/english/countries/uz/mandate/index.htm
Mandate: Appointed pursuant to the 1503 procedure (page 51).
contact address
OHCHR-UNOG
8-14 Avenue de la Paix
1211 Geneva 10
Switzerland
Fax: +41 22 917 90 06
Thematic Mandates
Traditionally, the primary means for victims of human rights violations to access the former
Commission on Human Rights was through the thematic mandates. These include special rapporteurs,
representatives of the Secretary-General, working groups and committees charged by the Commission
to concentrate on particular human rights issues or groups of vulnerable persons. Most of the thematic
mandates are able to accept and act on complaints of human rights violations, with a minimum of
formal requirements. The Human Rights Council will “inherit” these and other special mechanisms
of the Commission, which will presumably report annually to the Council. Within one year of the
Council’s first meeting, a review will be completed to examine ways to “rationalize and strengthen”
them. This may result in the merging or changing of existing mandates.
20 U.N. Doc. E/CN.4/RES/1993/86, para.1.
21 U.N. Doc. E/CN.4/RES/2005/82, para. 8.
Guide to International Human Rights Mechanisms
for Internally Displaced Persons and their Advocates