|
The Special Representative of the
Secretary General on Human Rights Defenders The Special Representative was established by the United Nations Commission on Human Rights in 2000. The current Special Rapporteur is Ms. Hina Jilani of Pakistan. The mandate of the Special Representative on Human Rights Defenders How to send a complaint to the Special Representative Further information about the work of the Special Representative The office of the Special Representative was set up in recognition of the important work undertaken by human rights defenders and of the dangers faced by human rights defenders who become targets for human rights violations. Human rights defenders are defined as people who work alone or together with others to protect economic, social, cultural, civil and political rights. The Special Representative works to promote the rights
of human rights defenders as set out in the Declaration on the Right and
Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote
and Protect Universally Recognized Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.
This Declaration is known as the Declaration on Human Rights Defenders.
To view the full text of the Declaration on Human Rights Defenders click here The Special Representative also works to promote the rights set out in the major international human rights instruments such as the Universal Declaration on Human Rights (UDHR) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). For the full text of the ICCPR click here For the full text of the UDHR available in many languages click here The Special Representative recommends that complaints about violations of the rights of human rights defenders be sent to her in the first instance, rather than to any of the other Special Rapporteurs or Representatives included in this manual. In this way she can respond to a complaint by co-ordinating the efforts of other Rapporteurs and focussing on the fact that an individual may have been targeted because they are a human rights defender. How to send a complaint to the Special RepresentativeComplaints concerning violations of the rights of human rights defenders can be sent to the Special Representative by victims of violations, their representatives or by NGOs. There is no formal procedure for submitting a complaint to the Special Representative. However the Special Representative has developed guidelines aimed at helping you to include all of the information relevant to your complaint which you may use if you so wish. Click here for the
Guidelines for Submitting a Complaint to the Special Representative
If you are concerned that a serious violation of human rights is about to take place you should write "For Urgent Action" at the beginning of your complaint. Complaints should be sent to:
Before submitting your complaint you should click on the following 2 links which contain important general information: Click here for information on the exhaustion of domestic remedies Click here for information on multiple applications Further information about the work of the Special Representative The Special Representative of the Secretary General on Human Right Defenders is one of a number of United Nations Special Rapporteurs and Special Representatives. To find out more about how Special Rapporteurs and Special Representatives carry out their work, click here. |
|||
|
|||
|
|