GENEVA
(10 December 2013) - The largest body of independent experts in the United
Nations Human Rights system today urged world governments to cooperate with
them, and allow human rights organisations and individuals to engage with the UN
"without fear of intimidation or reprisals."
The appeal by the 72 special procedures experts
comes on Human Rights Day, which this year marks the twentieth anniversary of
the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action that led
to the creation of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human
Rights.
"Over
the years more than 160 UN member States have been visited by at least one of
our human rights experts, and a total of 106 States have extended an open
invitation to special procedures," Mr. Chaloka Beyani said on behalf the group
charged by the UN Human Rights Council to report and advise on specific country
situations and thematic issues in all parts of the world.
"However,
around 30 States have not yet accepted a visit by any of our experts," he
stressed. "Others have given access to only a select few. "Unfortunately, it has
become a reality that a standing invitation cannot necessarily guarantee that a
visit will actually take place." (Country visits since 1998)
Mr.
Beyani recalled that, since the first special procedures mechanism was
established over 40 years ago in 1965, the independent experts have fostered
national debate on human rights issues and helped States to revise their
legislation and respond to the expectations of victims of human rights
violations. "Cooperation is mutually beneficial," he said.
"The
work we do relies heavily on our interaction with civil society, national human
rights institutions, human rights defenders, other individuals working on the
ground and victims of human rights violations," the expert explained.
"It is
of utmost concern that some of these become victims of intimidation and
reprisals. The protection of these vital partners is of utmost importance," he
said, calling on world Governments "to respond firmly against any act which
threatens them and seeks to obstruct human rights work."
Mr.
Beyani underlined that reprisals are a critical challenge facing the UN system
and its human rights mechanisms. "We call for the designation of a focal point
on the issue of intimidation and reprisals as soon as possible," he said on
behalf of the largest body of independent experts in the UN Human Rights system.
***
The
United Nations human rights experts are part of what it is known as the
Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council.Special Procedures, the
largest body of independent experts in the United Nations Human Rights, is the
general name of the independent fact-finding and monitoring mechanisms of the
Human Rights Council that address either specific country situations or thematic
issues in all parts of the world. They are charged by the Human Rights Council
to monitor, report and advise on human rights issues. Currently, there are 37
thematic mandates and 14 mandates related to countries and territories, with 72
mandate holders. In March 2014, three new mandates will be added.
Special
Procedures experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not
receive a salary for their work. They are independent from any government or
organization and serve in their individual capacity
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