Support to UN Special Procedures

Started in June 2020

The United Nations (UN) Special Procedures of the UN Human Rights Council are a unique mechanism of independent expert advice and monitoring in the UN human rights system. Mandated to report regularly to the Council and the UN General Assembly on thematic issues and country situations, they are less bound by governmental considerations or institutional constraints. As such, these UN experts are the most outspoken players in the system.

TACKLING CROSSCUTTING ISSUES

All Special Procedures face a number of challenges in the implementation of their mandates. The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights ensures coordination, but the mandate holders themselves are not staff of the UN and are not based in Geneva.

The Geneva Human Rights Platform (GHRP) offers them additional opportunities to engage with each other and with other parts of the UN system via an annual meeting on a topic of common concern, as well as via institutional discussions on thematic issues, working methods, impact assessment and other methodological issues. These meetings support UN Special Procedures in tackling common challenges, improving their work and impact and elaborating joint positions or statements.

Evaluating their Impact

Via dedicated research, the GHRP supports UN Special Procedures in measuring the impact of their work to promote and protection of human rights – in a given country or in relation to a specific right – along with the effectiveness of their interventions and activities.

This evaluation assessment is vital to determining the efficacy of a mandate’s work and its outcomes will support decision-making and provide guidance for future undertakings, and resource allocation.

The research develops proposals contained within the publication ‘Towards Transversal Standards to Evaluate the Impact of UN Special Procedures’, which stemmed from an initial Expert Meeting convened to discuss enhancing the existing evaluation and measurement framework in place.

Following an initial mapping of existing evaluation practices, the GHRP elaborates – in consultation with UN Special Procedures – an overarching methodological framework that incorporates measurement tools and indicators that can deliver an objective, detailed overall analysis of impact.

The first step in this process is the development of a new working paper Assessment Tool for Special Procedures' Impact Evaluation – Developing an Initial Framework that examines how to further develop methodologies to appraise the impact of UN Special Procedures, and which resources might most effectively be deployed to further their work in promoting and protecting human rights.

SUPPORTING SPECIFIC MANDATES

The special relationship with a number of mandates and mandate holders results in reinforced support to these mandates via dedicated research projects, dissemination of research outputs, support to specific activities, structural support, joint initiatives and conferences.

The GHRP directly supports the UN SR on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association – who is conducting a research project on promoting and protecting the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association and civic space worldwide at the Geneva Academy – in dissemination, outreach and networking activities. Similar support is also provided to the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rightsvia specific research hosted at the Geneva Academy.

In addition, the GHRP regularly collaborates with other UN SRs, including the UN SR on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment and the SR on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions.

ADOPTING AN ‘ALL-MECHANISMS’ APPROACH

Enhancing the interactions and connection between UN Special Procedures mandate holders and members of UN treaty bodies (TBs), the online platform created in 2021 for exchanges between TBs is opening up to Un Special Procedures to offer a private space for substantive discussions among all human rights experts on UN mandates.

NEWS AND UPCOMING EVENTS

Special Rapporteur name plate at the UN Human Rights Council News

Research Provides Critical Insights to Understand the Impact of Interventions by UN Special Procedures

16 January 2023

Our new working paper Assessment Tool for Special Procedures' Impact Evaluation – Developing an Initial Framework examines how to further develop methodologies to appraise the impact of UN Special Procedures.

Read more >

Press briefing by the Commission of Inquiry on the 2018 protests in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Palais des Nations. 28 February 2019. News

New Paper Discusses the Impact of United Nations Special Procedures

12 April 2021

Our new Working Paper Towards Transversal Standards to Evaluate the Impact of UN Special Procedures discusses the impact of UN Special Procedures, reviews progress made to measure it, and proposes avenues to improve this assessment.

Read more >

TEAM

Picture of Felix Kirchmeier

Felix Kirchmeier

Executive Director of the Geneva Human Rights Platform

Felix Kirchmeier is the Executive Director of the Geneva Human Rights Platform.

Picture of Domenico Zipoli

Domenico Zipoli

Project Coordinator and Research Fellow

His research focuses on the question of connectivity among international human rights mechanisms and on national strategies for monitoring, implementation and follow-up of international human rights obligations and recommendations.

PIcture of Clément Voule

Clément Voule

Researcher

Clément Nyaletsossi Voule is Researcher at the Geneva Academy and UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights to Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and of Association.

Picture of Stefania Di Stefano

Stefania Di Stefano

Project Officer at the Geneva Human Rights Platform

Her research includes international human rights law, business and human rights, human rights in the digital age, corporate responsibility, and the rights to freedom of expression and access to information.

OUTPUT

Evaluating the Impact of UN Special Procedures' Visits, Recommendations and Inquiries

During an online expert meeting, more than 20 United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteurs and members of UN working groups, as well as staff from the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), civil society representatives and lawyers explored how the impact of UN Special Procedures’ visits, recommendations and inquiries can be effectively measured and evaluated.

Discussions at this meeting, interviews and the collection of evidence via a questionnaire to all mandate holders led to the publication of two working papers: ‘Towards Transversal Standards to Evaluate the Impact of UN Special Procedures’, published in 2021 and ‘Assessment Tool for Special Procedures' Impact Evaluation – Developing an Initial Framework’ in 2022.

GUIDANCE TO THE FUTURE UN SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON THE RIGHT TO PRIVACY

In the course of an online expert meeting convened in 2021 with civil society organizations and academics, participants provided insights and guidance as to how the next mandate holder could take forward pressing issues for the right to privacy. The discussion also focused on how different stakeholders could facilitate the work of the mandate, and which challenges should be prioritised given resource restraints. The results of this engagement and dialogue have been outlined in a research briefing.

Applying a ‘gender lens’ to the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights

At a consultation hosted for the United Nations (UN) Working Group on Business and Human Rights (WG), academics, representatives of international organizations, members of UN treaty bodies, the private sector, business associations and civil society discussed key issues and challenges related to the application of a ‘gender lens’ to the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UN Guiding Principles).

The consultation was also the occasion to present the Geneva Academy's publication Responsive Due Diligence for Business Actors: Human Rights-Based Approaches – the outcome of research aimed at supporting the WG’s consultation process to apply a ‘gender lens’ to the UN Guiding Principles and thus contribute the promotion and protection of human rights and gender equality in relation to the business sector via research on international human rights law and policies related to gender equality guarantees and their application to business activities.

Publications

Cover of the publication

Assessment Tool for Special Procedures' Impact Evaluation – Developing an Initial Framework

January 2023

Jonathan Andrew

The Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights

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cover of the publication

Towards Transversal Standards to Evaluate the Impact of UN Special Procedures

February 2021

Jonathan Andrew

The Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights

Download >

Cover of the Briefing

Briefing No°12: Gender Responsive Due Diligence for Business Actors: Human Rights-Based Approaches

December 2018

Joanna Bourke Martignoni, Elizabeth Umlas

Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights

Download >

Past Events

Possible Priorities for the Next UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Privacy

16 April 2021

Read more >

MORE ON THIS THEMATIC AREA

SIMORE Plus logo News

In Highlight: SIMORE Plus Monitoring Tool

3 November 2023

Via its DHRTTDs Directory, the Geneva Human Rights Platform provides a comprehensive list and description of such key tools and databases. But how to navigate them? Which tool should be used for what, and by whom? This interview helps us understand better the specificities of the November highlight of the directory: SIMORE Plus.

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View of Fiji Island News

Third and Final Treaty Body Follow-Up Review Pilot to Take Place in Fiji

13 November 2023

Following Sierra Leone and Grenada, the third and final UN human rights treaty body follow-up review pilot will take place in Fiji with the participation of three Pacific Small Island Developing States, namely Fiji, Tonga and Vanuatu.

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A hand on a wire fence Event

Recognition of Gender Apartheid as an International Crime: Significance and Challenges

18 April 2024, 18:00-19:30

This panel will address crucial questions surrounding the necessity of a legal framework for gender apartheid under international law.

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Garment workersto receive food from their factory during lunch time. This food is freely provided by their factory in order to ensure that workers eat healthy and hygienic food. Training

Business and Human Rights

2-6 September 2024

This training course will examine how the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights have been utilized to advance the concept of business respect for human rights throughout the UN system, the impact of the Guiding Principles on other international organizations, as well as the impact of standards and guidance developed by these different bodies.

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Afghanistan, Parwan detention facility. Inside a room where detainees of the prison, separated by an acrylic glass, are allowed to meet with their families a couple of times per year with the help of the ICRC employees who facilitate the programme. Short Course

Preventing and Combating Terrorism

25 April - 17 May 2024

This online short course discusses the extent to which states may limit and/or derogate from their international human rights obligations in order to prevent and counter-terrorism and thus protect persons under their jurisdiction.

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First annual conference of the Geneva Human Rights Platform Project

The Annual Conference of the Geneva Human Rights Platform

Started in June 2019

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surveillance image of people Project

Human Rights in a Digitalized World: Mapping Risk, Strengthening Regulation and Promoting the Development of International Human Rights Law

Started in August 2023

To unpack the challenges raised by artificial intelligence, this project will target two emerging and under-researched areas: digital military technologies and neurotechnology.

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Cover Page of Research Brief Publication

The Human Right to a Clean, Healthy and Sustainable Environment: Understanding its Scope, States Obligations and Links with Other Human Rights

published on March 2024

Christophe Golay, Baïna Ubushieva

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Cover Page of Research Brief Publication

Environmental Human Rights as a Tool in Early Warning and Conflict Prevention The Role of the Human Rights Council

published on January 2024

Erica Harper, Baïna Ubushieva

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