The Special Rapporteur on Contemporary forms of Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance

The Special Rapporteur was established by the United Nations Commission on Human Rights in 1993. The current Special Rapporteur is Mr Maurice Glèlè-Ahanhanzo from Benin.

About the mandate of the Special Rapporteur

How to send a complaint to the Special Rapporteur

Further information about the work of the Special Rapporteur

About the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance

The Special Rapporteur's work is aimed at preventing racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. His work is based on the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD). For the full text of the Convention click here.

Racial discrimination is defined in this Convention as "any distinction, exclusion, restriction or preference based on race, colour, descent, or national or ethnic origin which has the purpose or effect of nullifying or impairing the recognition, enjoyment or exercise, on an equal footing, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural or any other field of public life".

The Special Rapporteur works to ensure that states meet their international obligations to take urgent measures to combat all forms of racism as set out in CERD. In his work the Special Rapporteur pays particular attention to the situation of migrant workers, indigenous groups and minority groups.

The right to freedom from racial discrimination is also set out in two of the major international human rights instruments, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). Article 2 of the UDHR states that everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in the Declaration "without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status".

For the full text of the ICCPR click here

For the full text of the UDHR available in many languages click here

How to send a complaint to the Special Rapporteur

Complaints concerning any matter which falls within the mandate of the Special Rapporteur as described above should be sent to the Special Rapporteur in writing.

There is no standard application form for submitting a complaint to the Special Rapporteur. Your complaint should include the following information:

• identification of the alleged victim(s);
• identification of the perpetrators of the violation;
• identification of the person(s) or organization(s) submitting the communication (anonymous communications are, therefore, not admissible);
• detailed description of the circumstances of the incident in which the alleged violation occurred.

  Note, if you are the victim or person representing a victim and you wish to remain anonymous, you can state in your written complaint that your name should not to be revealed to the public or to the state concerned.

  Other details pertaining to the alleged specific violation should also be included (e.g. past and present places of detention of the victim; any medical certificate issued to the victim, identification of witnesses to the alleged violation).

  As a general rule, communications containing abusive language or which are obviously and patently politically-motivated are not considered. Communications should describe the facts of the incident and the relevant details referred to above, clearly and concisely.

  Complaints should be sent to:

  The Special Rapporteur on Contemporary forms of Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance

  Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights

  8-14 Avenue de la Paix

  1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland

  Telephone Number 00 41 22 917 9000

  Fax number 00 41 22 917 9006
  

  ---

  Further information about the work of the Special Rapporteur

  For further information in English, Espagnol and Français, visit the webpage of the Special Rapporteur by clicking here

The Special Rapporteur on Contemporary forms of Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance 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