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Working with the UN Human Rights Council and Special Procedures

Working with the UN Human Rights Council and Special Procedures. Phil Lynch Director Human Rights Law Resource Centre Ltd hrlrc@vicbar.com.au + 61 3 9225 6653 www.hrlrc.org.au. Overview of the UN Human Rights Council.

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Working with the UN Human Rights Council and Special Procedures

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  1. Working with the UN Human Rights Council and Special Procedures Phil Lynch Director Human Rights Law Resource Centre Ltd hrlrc@vicbar.com.au + 61 3 9225 6653 www.hrlrc.org.au

  2. Overview of the UN Human Rights Council • Established in March 2006 by UN General Assembly to replace UN Human Rights Commission • Comprises 47 member states, elected by GA • ‘Gross violators’ can be removed by 2/3 majority of GA • Aims to promote, coordinate, monitor and mainstream human rights internationally and within the UN system • Primary modalities: • Universal Periodic Review (UPR) • Special Procedures

  3. Universal Periodic Review • Periodic review of states’ ‘fulfilment of human rights obligations and commitments’, based on: • an ‘interactive dialogue’ • ‘objective and reliable information’ from • the state concerned • the OHCHR • other ‘relevant stakeholders’, including NGOs, NHRIs • Australia due in 2011 • For further information, see:http://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/UPR/Pages/UPRmain.aspx

  4. What is a ‘Special Procedure’? • Independent expert/s entrusted with mandate to examine, monitor, research, report and advise on human rights issues • Generally appointed by and report to: • UN Human Rights Council; or • UN Secretary General • Also called ‘Special Rapporteurs’, ‘Independent Experts’, ‘Special Representatives’ and ‘Working Groups’

  5. Mandates of Special Procedures • Country Mandates (9) • Thematic Mandates (29) • 8 on civil and political rights (torture, summary executions, freedom of expression, freedom of religion, independence of judges and lawyers, racism, counter-terrorism, human rights defenders) • 8 on economic, social and cultural rights (food, health, education, housing, toxic wastes, poverty, economic reform and debt) • 9 focusing on specific groups (migrants, internally displaced persons, women, children, minorities, indigenous, migrants, trafficking, slavery) • 4 working groups (arbitrary detention, enforced and involuntary disappearances, mercenaries and African descent)

  6. Functions of Special Procedures • Five key responsibilities: • Urgent appeals • Country visits • Follow-up • Normative work • Annual reports

  7. Urgent Appeals • Upon receiving credible information of human rights violation within scope of mandate, SP may send ‘Urgent Appeal’ to relevant Government • May relate to individual or systemic violation • May relate to past or prospective violation • In general, urgent appeals: • request investigation, action and remedy by govt; • are confidential between SP and govt; • are reported to UN HRC, GA or Sec-Gen as appropriate; and • are included in Annual Report.

  8. Submitting an Urgent Appeal • May be made by victim/s, lawyers and NGOs • Send request for action to SP via UN OHCHR • urgent-action@ohchr.org • Request should contain: • Details of author (this is maintained confidential in subsequent communication); • Details of alleged victim/s; • Date, place and detailed description of violation; • Details of alleged perpetrator; • Details of any steps taken to investigate or remedy violation; and • Clear linkage between human rights issue and mandate of SP • Model request forms available • http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/chr/special/questionnaires.htm

  9. Urgent Appeals v. Treaty Body Communications • Advantages: • Timely and expeditious • Can be used preventatively • No need to ‘exhaust domestic remedies’ • Complaint may be brought against any country on any issue within mandate (regardless of treaty ratification) • Complaint need not be made by victim (although credibility of information is important) • Disadvantages: • No relevant thematic mandate • Confidential between SP and govt • Author may not be informed of outcome • Govt may simply ignore urgent appeal or refuse request for country visit • Generally make observations, not ‘legal’ recommendations

  10. Case Study: Conditions of Detention of ‘Terror’ Suspects • Overview of conditions of detention • Confinement in cells • Access to lawyers • Shackling and restraints • Visitations • Religious observance and diet • Physical and mental health • Period of detention • Used in conjunction with domestic mechanisms • Evidence in domestic bail and stay proceedings • Political awareness and accountability

  11. Case Study: Conditions of Detention of ‘Terror’ Suspects (2) • Joint complaint to: • WG on Arbitrary Detention re proportionality of detention • Adopted ‘Opinion’ expressing 4 significant concerns • Severity of conditions • Scanning of legal correspondence • Lack of consideration of individual circumstances • Constraints on judicial discretion regarding bail • SR on Freedom of Religion re restrictions on religious observance • Reported in Annual Report • SR on Independence of Lawyers re facilities and resources to prepare defence • Reported in Annual Report

  12. Country Visits • SPs may request permission to visit a country where concerned about particular violations or implementation failures • Australia has not issued a ‘standing invitation’ • Meet with and obtain information from governments, NGOs and community • Aim to engage in positive dialogue and make observations and recommendations • Reports submitted to UN HRC and GA and Sec-Gen

  13. Using Country Visits • Utility of country visits: • Create momentum and opportunity for change • Visibility on a thematic area • Opportunity to voice concerns in international fora • Report can be a tool to advocate for change • Obtaining a country visit: • Make requests to SPs in thematic areas of interest to your work • Motivate requests in terms of desirability and timeliness of mission

  14. Using Country Visits (2) • Preparation • Advise on WHERE to go, WHO to meet and WHAT to address • Suggest recommendations that would be useful for you and your communities • Follow up • Disseminate the report • Monitor and report on implementation (lack of)

  15. Case Study: Homelessness and SRAH Visit to Australia • Context – 100,00 homeless, economic prosperity, threatened funding cuts • Urgent action letter submitted March 2005 • Letter of allegation and request for country visit • SAAP funding cuts withdrawn • SRAH invited to visit • Country visit August 2006 – Role of NGOs • Jointly contributed to itinerary and facilitation of meetings • Informed interim report issued in August 2006 • Provided detailed NGO information in November 2006 • SRAH reported to UN HRC in June 2007 and NGOs made oral submissions • Used to engage media and in policy and advocacy work

  16. Follow Up • Many SPs hold dialogues with governments to follow-up on actions, recommendations or observations arising from urgent appeals and country visits • SPs may also be used by civil society to ‘follow up’ on implementation of treaty body recommendations

  17. Normative Work • Many SPs attempt to develop norms and standards and further develop jurisprudence in thematic area • Excellent source of information about source and substantive content of relevant rights • relevant in Vic under s 32(2) of Charter

  18. Annual Reports • All SPs report annually to UN HRC and some also report to GA and Sec-Gen • Reports contain: • details of urgent appeals and government responses • reports on country visits • observations on normative content of right • Some SPs also prepare thematic reports • UN SRAH Report on Women and Adequate Housing

  19. Further Information • Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights web page • http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/chr/special/index.htm • OHCHR Fact Sheet No 27 on Special Procedures • http://www2.ohchr.org/english/about/publications/docs/factsheet27.pdf

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