Call for submissions | Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council, Treaty Bodies, Subsidiary Bodies and Office of the High Commissioner

Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council

The special procedures of the Human Rights Council are independent human rights experts with mandates to report and advise on human rights from a thematic or country-specific perspective. They are non-paid and elected for 3-year mandates that can be reconducted for another three years. As of October 2021, there are 45 thematic and 13 country mandates.

With the support of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), special procedures:

• undertake country visits
• act on individual cases of reported violations and concerns of a broader nature by sending communications to States and others
• conduct annual thematic studies, seek information from calls for input and convene expert consultations
• contribute to the development of international human rights standards, and
• engage in advocacy, raise public awareness, and provide advice for technical cooperation.

Special Rapporteur on the human right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment

The Human Rights Council established the mandate for an Independent Expert on human rights and the environment in 2012 (resolution 19/10). The mandate on human rights and the environment exists to:

• examine the human rights obligations relating to the enjoyment of a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment
• promote best practices of the use of human rights in environmental policymaking
• identify challenges and obstacles to the global recognition and implementation of the right to a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment
• Conduct country visits and respond to human rights violations

In April 2024, the Human Rights Council adopted without a vote a resolution to renew the Mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the human right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment, aligning the name of the mandate with the recognition by the Human Rights Council and the UN General Assembly of the human right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment.

Calls for submissions

There are currently no calls for submissions.

Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights in the context of climate change

Ian Fry was the first Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights in the context of climate change. Following the adoption of a resolution at the 48th session of the Human Rights Council (resolution 48/14), Ian Fry was appointed for a three-year term with the following mandate:

• Study and identify how the adverse effects of climate change, affect the full and effective enjoyment of human rights
• Identify existing challenges, including financial challenges, of States’ efforts
• Synthesize knowledge, including indigenous and local traditional knowledge, and identify good practices, strategies and policies
• Promote and exchange views on lessons learned and best practices
• Raise awareness on the human rights affected by climate change, especially of persons living in developing countries particularly vulnerable
• Facilitate and contribute to the exchange of technical assistance, capacity-building and international cooperation in support of national efforts
• Integrate a gender-responsive, age-sensitive, disability inclusive and social-inclusion perspective
• Work closely with States and relevant stakeholders, including business enterprises to adopt a human rights perspective

Calls for submissions

There are currently no calls for submissions.

Special Rapporteur on toxics and human rights

The exposure of people to a myriad of harmful substances without their prior informed consent is a human rights issue. However, it is a human rights issue for which solutions exist. The mandate of the Special Rapporteur on toxics and human rights seeks to help States, businesses and other stakeholders adopt such solutions.

Dr Marcos A. Orellana was appointed Special Rapporteur on toxics and human rights in August 2020. He is an expert in international law and the law on human rights and the environment. His practice as legal advisor has included work with United Nations agencies, governments and non-governmental organizations.

Call for submissions

There are currently no calls for submissions.

Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation

The mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation was initially established by the UN Human Rights Council in March 2008 as the Independent Expert on the issue of human rights obligations related to access to safe drinking water and sanitation. The Human Rights Council extended the mandate on water and sanitation in March 2011 and changed its title to Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation. The Special Rapporteur, Pedro Arrojo-Agudo, carries out thematic research, undertakes country missions, collects good practices, and works with development practitioners on the implementation of the rights to water and sanitation.

The mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation was established to:

• focus on the issue of human rights obligations related to access to safe drinking water and sanitation;
• carry out thematic research;
• undertake country missions;
• collect good practices; and
• work with development practitioners on the implementation of the rights to water and sanitation.

Call for submissions

There are currently no calls for submissions.

Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples

In 2001, the Commission on Human Rights decided to appoint a Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples, as part of the system of thematic Special Procedures. The Special Rapporteur’s mandate was renewed by the Commission on Human Rights in 2004, and by the Human Rights Council in 2007. It was most recently renewed in 2019 in resolution 42/20. Francisco Cali Tzay was appointed Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples in March 2020 and took up the role on 1 May 2020.

The mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples was created to:

• Promote good practices, including new laws, government programs, and constructive agreements between indigenous peoples and states, to implement international standards concerning the rights of indigenous peoples;
• Make recommendations and proposals on appropriate measures to prevent and remedy violations of the rights of indigenous peoples;
• Report on the human rights situations of indigenous peoples around the world;
• Address specific cases of alleged violations of indigenous peoples’ rights.

Call for Contributions

There are currently no calls for submissions.

Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders

The Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, first established by the Human Rights Commission in 2000 and renewed by the Human Rights Council in 2020, aims to promote the effective implementation of the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders.

Mary Lawlor is the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders since 1 May 2020. As part of her mandate to seek, receive and respond to information on the situation of human rights defenders, including environmental defenders. In her report to HRC46, she stated that among 1,323 human rights defenders killed since 2015, EHRDs are the most targeted (A/HRC/46/35).

Call for Contributions

There are currently no calls for submissions.

Working Group on business and human rights

13th United Nations Forum on Business and Human Rights | Call for session proposals

Interested parties are invited to submit proposals for the programme of the 2024 UN Forum on Business and Human Rights. Please bear in mind that only inputs submitted via this form will be considered.

Due to capacity constraints, only those invited to organize a session will be contacted. Confirmation emails will be sent by the end of July 2024 at the latest. The Forum’s theme this year is Realizing the “Smart Mix of Measures” to protect human rights in the context of business activities. Find the concept note here.

The deadline for submission is 19 April 2024. → Submit your input

Call for input for the Working Group on Business and Human Rights’s official visit to Colombia

During its visit to Colombia, the Working Group will examine business and human rights issues and identify current initiatives, practices, challenges and opportunities at the national and local level to implement the Guiding Principles and promote responsible business conduct.

The Working Group will meet with State institutions, and other stakeholders, including businesses, communities and individuals impacted by business operations and activities, civil society organizations, development partners, trade unions and academics.

On the last day of the visit, the Working Group will present its preliminary conclusions at a press conference (access restricted to the media), highlighting the main areas of concern and opportunities that emerged from the visit. Following this visit, it will prepare a report containing its final observations and recommendations to the Colombian government and other stakeholders, to be presented at the 40th session of the UN Human Rights Council in June 2025.

The deadline for submission is 15 May 2024. → Submit your input

Independent Expert on the effects of foreign debt

The fiscal social contract and the human rights economy

In her annual thematic report to the UN General Assembly, 79th session, the Independent Expert on foreign debt, other international financial obligations and human rights, Attiya Waris, aims to emphasize ways to address a growing disconnect between citizens and the institutions that serve them, with many feeling left behind and no longer confident in the system, with a distrust increased by a loss of shared truth and understanding.

The concept of the “Fiscal social contract” refers to the implicit agreement between a government and its population regarding the collection and allocation of public funds. It is a fundamental pillar of modern democratic societies, where citizens contribute taxes, and in return, the government provides public goods and services. The fiscal social contract is based on the principle of mutual responsibility and reciprocity. Citizens agree to pay taxes, which serve as a financial resource for the government to fulfil its obligations and responsibilities towards society. These obligations include providing essential services such as education, healthcare, housing, infrastructure, security, and social welfare programs. In return for their tax contributions, citizens expect the government to utilize these funds efficiently and effectively for the betterment of society. They anticipate that public funds will be allocated based on principles of fairness, equity, and transparency. This ensures that the fiscal social contract remains strong and citizens continue to trust the government with their tax contributions.

Additionally, the fiscal social contract requires accountability from both the government and citizens. Governments must be accountable for their fiscal decisions and ensure that public funds are used in the best interest of society. This accountability can be facilitated through mechanisms such as budget transparency, audits, and citizen participation in decision-making processes. On the other hand, citizens have a responsibility to fulfil their tax obligations honestly and fully. Tax evasion or avoidance undermines the fiscal social contract, as it deprives the government of necessary resources to provide public goods and services. It is imperative that citizens recognize their role in upholding the fiscal social contract by paying their fair share of taxes.

In conclusion, the concept of the fiscal social contract forms the basis of a functioning society. It establishes a relationship of trust and responsibility between the government and its citizens, ensuring the provision of essential public goods and services. Upholding this contract requires transparency, accountability, and mutual respect. By adhering to the fiscal social contract, governments and citizens can work together to build prosperous and equitable societies. As the world is facing a situation of multiple crises taking place across the globe, including socio-economic (unemployment, poverty, inequalities), health (COVID-19), and environmental degradation (climate change and food insecurity), applying a human rights-based approach to recovery plans and policies would imply protecting the environment as our common good while prioritizing the fulfilment of basic human rights of the population regarding health, food security, housing, social security, etc.

The deadline for submission is 20 April 2024. → Submit your input

Applications for Mandate Holders

There are currently no calls for applications.