Materials : Resource Persons' Documents : Rights-Based Approach (lecture materials) :

Country/Thematic Experts of the UN Commission on Human Rights

The scope of the work of the Commission on Human Rights has widened dramatically since it was first established in 1946. The Commission is no longer solely concerned with creating the human rights standards by which we aspire to live today; it must also respond to a growing number of global human rights situations. To facilitate this, the Commission enlists the help of a broad range of experts (also called special procedures), whose work is debated annually. There are both country and thematic experts. Country-specific mandates are reviewed annually at the Commission, and thematic mandates are normally reviewed every two to three years.

What do the experts do?

In carrying out their mandates all of the experts research the way in which the right, for which they are responsible, is promoted and protected by governments; submit an annual report of their findings, conclusions and recommendations to the Commission or the United Nations General Assembly; and most undertake country missions. Some experts also receive and consider complaints from victims of human rights violations and may also intervene with governments on behalf of such victims.

Who are the experts?

The experts come from various walks of life. They are, for example, lawyers, judges, academics, economists and journalists who are chosen for their experience, their integrity and their impartiality. Experts act independently of governmental and non-governmental influence, and are immune from legal process of any kind in relation to what they say, write or do in the course of carrying out their mission. They are not paid for their work with the UN.

Why are different experts given different titles?

The term 'expert' covers various titles bestowed by the Commission. Such titles include Special Rapporteur, Independent Expert, and Special Representative of the Secretary-General. These titles have no hierarchy, nor do they indicate the powers entrusted to the expert. They are simply the result of political negotiations. A mandate is usually entrusted to an individual expert, although in some cases a working group of five experts may be appointed.

Who selects the experts?

Special rapporteurs and representatives are usually selected by the Chairperson of the Commission after consultation with the bureau. Special Representatives of the Secretary-General and some independent experts are selected by the Secretary-General upon the recommendation of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. Experts may serve a maximum of six years in a mandate.

How effective is the work of the experts in improving human rights situations?

The effectiveness of this system depends on the extent to which an expert's research is followed by action on the ground; therefore it is difficult to quantify. However, the continuing examination of a situation lets victims know that they are neither forgotten nor alone, provides them with the opportunity to voice their concerns, and reminds the perpetrators of human rights violations that they are being watched.

Experts of the Commission on Human Rights

Mandate / Mandate holder (and contact) / Year Established

THEMATIC EXPERTS

Independent expert of the Commission on Human Rights on the right to development Mr. Arjun Sengupta (India) 1998
Special Rapporteur on the right to everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health Mr. Paul Hunt (New Zealand)Contact: Lisa Oldring loldring@ohchr.org 2002

Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights on the right to food Mr. Jean Ziegler (Switzerland)Contact: Dutima Bhagwandin dbhagwandin@ohchr.org 2000

Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights on the right to education Ms. Katarina Tomasevski (Croatia)Contact: Cecilia Mollercmoller@ohchr.org. 1998

Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights on adequate housing as a component of the right to an adequate standard of living Mr. Miloon Kothari (India)Contact: Cecilia Mollercmoller@ohchr.org. 2000

Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights on freedom of religion or belief Mr. Abdelfattah Amor(Tunisia)Contact: Ms. Audrey RinaldiArinaldi.@ohchr.org. 1986

Independent expert of the Commission on Human Rights on structural adjustment policies and foreign debt Mr. Bernards Andrew Nyamwaya Mudho (Kenya) 2000

Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights on the adverse effects of the illicit movement and dumping of toxic and dangerous products and wastes on the enjoyment of human rights Ms. Fatma Zohra Ouhachi-Vesely (Algeria) 1995

Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights on violence against women, its causes and consequences Post to be filled following expiration of termContact: Ms. Cristina Saunderscsaunders.hchr@unog.ch 1994

Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography Mr. Juan Miguel Petit(Uruguay)Ms. Jennifer PhilpotNissenjphilpot@ohchr.org. 1990

Special Representative of the Secretary-General on the situation of human rights defenders Ms. Hina Jilani (Pakistan)Contact: Mr. Ben Majekodunmibmajekodujmi@ohchr.org. 2000

Representative of the Secretary-General on internally displaced persons Mr. Francis Deng (Sudan)Contact: Ms. Carmen Cuevas GarciaCcuevas-garcia@ohchr.org. 1992

Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights on use of mercenaries as a means of impeding the exercise of the right of peoples to self-determination Mr. Enrique Bernales Ballesteros (Peru) 1987

Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights on the human rights of migrants Ms. Gabriela Rodríguez Pizarro (Costa Rica)Contact: Ms. Veronica Birgavbirga@ohchr.org. 1999

Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights on the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people Mr. Rodolfo Stavenhagen (Mexico) 2001

Independent expert of the Commission on Human Rights on human rights and extreme poverty Ms. Anne-Marie Lizin (Belgium) 1998

Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. Mr. Doudou Diène (Senegal)Contact: Mr. Daniel AtchebroDatchebro@ohchr.org. 1993

Working Group on Arbitrary Detention Post to be filled following expiration of termContact: Mr. Miguel de la Lamamdelalama@ohchr.org 1991

Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances Mr. Diego Garcia-Sayan(Peru) ChairpersonContact: Ms. Tamara Kunanayakamtkunanayakam@ohchr.org 1980

Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions Ms. Asma Jahangir (Pakistan)Contact: Mr. Daniel AtchebroDatchebro@ohchr.org 1982

Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights on the independence of judges and lawyers Post to be filled following expiration of term.Contact: Ms.Sonia Croninscronin@ohchr.org 1994

Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression Mr. Ambeyi Ligabo(Kenya)Contact: Ms. Sylvie Saddierssaddier@ohchr.org 1993

Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights on the question of torture Mr. Theo C. van Boven(Netherlands)Contact: Mr. Jean Nicolas Beuzejnbeuze@ohchr.org 1985

ASIA-PACIFIC COUNTRY EXPERTS

Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan Post yet to be filledContact: Ms. Shahrzad Tadjbakshstadjbakhsh@ohchr.org 1984

Special Representative of the Secretary-General on the situation of human rights in Cambodia Mr. Peter Leuprecht(Austria)Contact: Ms. Afarin Shahidzadehsshahidzadeh@ohchr.org 1993

Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights on the situation of human rights in Myanmar Mr. Paulo Sergio Pinheiro(Brazil)Contact: Ms. Hulan Tsedevhtsedev@ohchr.org 1992

Return to top