This section explains how an individual becomes a UN Special Procedure mandate holder and examines some of the challenges in ensuring that the profiles of these experts are are relevant and diverse.
Estimated time to complete chapter 2: 15 min
When a new mandate holder of a Special Procedure is due to be appointed, the information will be posted on the OHCHR website.
This can happen when a new mandate is created through a resolution of the Human Rights Council, when an individual has served the maximum term of six years or when a mandate holder ends their term early.
Any person can be nominated, including self-nomination, by completing an application form on the OHCHR website.
After the application period is concluded:
The OHCHR reviews all applications, removes those that do not meet the minimum requirements, and posts the name and applications of the remaining candidates on the OHCHR website.
A Consultative Group (made up of five State representatives of the Human Rights Council member States, each representing one of the five UN regions, but serving in their personal capacity) ranks the candidates, interviews approximately five candidates, and then presents the top three candidates to the President of the Human Rights Council.
Based on the recommendations of the Consultative Group and following broad consultations, the President identifies the appropriate candidate for each vacancy and proposes it to the Council.
The candidates are approved and appointed by the Human Rights Council based on the President’s recommendation before the end of each regular session.
The President will usually recommend the appointment of the first preferred candidate of the Consultative Group, unless the President feels that it is necessary to pick another candidate, for example, to ensure a balance (e.g. geographic, gender, etc) across all Special Procedures mandate holders.
The President shall justify their decision if it does not follow the order of priority proposed by the Consultative Group.
The previous Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association was Clément Nyaletsossi Voule.
He started as a human rights defender working in Togo for many years, working with the Togolese Coalition of Human Rights Defenders, the Togolese Coalition for the International Criminal Court and Amnesty International Togo. Then, for over a decade, Clément was an ISHR staff member, supporting human rights defenders from States in transition and coordinating the organisation’s work in Africa as the Advocacy Director. He also engaged extensively in regional advocacy, within civil society networks and the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
Clément nominated himself for the position of Special Rapporteur, with the support of ISHR, and was successfully appointed in 2018. He held this position until April of 2024. Drawing from his extensive background as a defender, Voule used his UN role, highlighting in his thematic reports, statements, and press releases the dangers defenders face, the specific vulnerabilities of women human rights defenders, and the importance of upholding assembly rights and related protections in digital spaces. Throughout his mandate, he consistently condemned attacks against human rights defenders globally, striving to create a safer environment for their essential work.
Similarly, you can also support the renewal of particular mandate holders for issues you’re working on. For instance, see a statement of civil society on the Independent Expert on the human rights of persons with Albinism.
ISHR, as part of a group of NGOs working with Special Procedures, has regularly emphasised to the Consultative Group that, if Special Procedures are to have a meaningful impact, the mandate holders must be experts selected and appointed through a transparent and merit-based process, and that their profiles should be relevant and diverse.
More information here.
There has been progress in achieving gender equality among Special Procedures mandate holders. In 2024, 64% were female and 36% male for instance.
If you feel you have the skills, expertise and time to hold a Special Procedures mandate, consider applying! You can nominate yourself or be nominated by peers to help ensure diversity amongst the mandate holders.
In the next chapter we will explore the different opportunities to engage with the Special Procedures to best deliver the objectives you have.
