The United Nations special procedures

“Special procedures” is a term that covers a wide range of mechanisms of the Human Rights Council to address either specific country situations or thematic issues. Special procedures have developed into one of the most effective ways of mobilizing the resources of the United Nations to respond to specific human rights concerns. In practice, special procedures are specific persons or working groups. Their mandates vary, as do their activities. This chapter focuses on the special procedures which are most relevant to minority issues, including the Independent Expert on minority issues; the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief; the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance; the Independent Expert in the field of cultural rights; and the Working Group of Experts on people of African descent.

Related Subject(s): Human Rights and Refugees