Guide to International Human Rights Mechanisms - Brookings

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International Mechanisms | UN Bodies
What you can Do The Independent Expert does not accept communications of individual complaints.
However, one might consider contacting the Independent Expert to provide information on displacement
and suggest that he address the issue as part of a human rights approach to poverty. One can also suggest
that the Independent Expert visit a particular country to discuss the issue with authorities.
evaluation The Independent Expert has noted that IDPs and refugees tend to be the “poorest
of the poor” and urged that they should be given priority attention in social policy. 25 After a visit
to Sudan, the Independent Expert urged support for a civil registration process to enable the
distribution of official identity documents to IDPs and refugees. 26 A great deal more could be said
about the connection between long term displacement and extreme poverty, both for those affected
and for the societies in which they live. NGOs may wish to engage the Independent Expert on
these issues and provide him with relevant information.
contact
Independent Expert on Extreme Poverty
OHCHR-UNOG
8-14 Avenue de la Paix
1211 Geneva 10
Switzerland
Fax: +41 22 917 90 03
for more information
Use the above contact information or: Special Rapporteur’s website: www.ohchr.org/english/issues/
poverty/expert/index.htm
Special Rapporteur on the Right of Everyone to the Enjoyment of the Highest Attainable
Standard of Physical and Mental Health
Background This Special Rapporteur is mandated to gather information, report on the status
of the right to health, engage in dialogue with relevant actors, and make recommendations to
improve fulfillment of the right to health. He has three major activities: country visits, transmitting
letters concerning individual violations of the right to health to governments (including “urgent
appeals” for imminent violations and “allegation letters” where the violation has already occurred),
and reporting to the Human Rights Council (page 49) and the General Assembly.
What you can Do You can submit communications about imminent violations of the right to
health or those that have taken place and seek the Rapporteur’s intervention. Where appropriate,
you can also suggest that the Special Rapporteur undertake a country visit for extended dialogue
25 U.N. Doc. E/CN.4/2000/52, para. 114.
26 U.N. Doc. E/CN.4/2004/43, para. 74.
27 U.N. Doc. E/CN.4/2005/51/Add.1, paras. 35-37, 66.
Guide to International Human Rights Mechanisms
for Internally Displaced Persons and their Advocates