Special Procedures

"Special procedures" is the name given to mechanisms established by the Commission on Human Rights and assumed by the Human Rights Council. 

Special procedures are either individual or a working group composed of five members. Individual special procedures are either a:

• Special Rapporteur
• Special Representative of the Secretary General
• Independent Expert

Special procedures are independent experts appointed by the United Nations. They have a mandate by the Human Rights Council to investigate, monitor and recommend solutions to human rights problems.

There are currently 31 thematic and 8 country mandates who address specific country situations or thematic issues in all parts of the world.

The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) provides special procedures with support to allow them to fulfil their mandates. 

Special procedures conduct country visits and can receive individual complaints about alleged human rights violations.

Please click for more information on:

Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people

Mandate and activities of Special Procedures

Which special procedures have visited Australia?

How are mandate holders chosen?

Special Procedures Code of Conduct and Manual 

Specific information the following Special Procedures is also available.

Health: Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health  

Children: UN Special Rapporteur on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography

Women: Special Rapporteur on violence against women, including its causes and consequences

Racism: UN Special Rapporteur on Contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance

Water: UN Independent Expert on the issue of human rights obligations related to access to safe drinking water and sanitation

A full list of Special Procedures can be found here.