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MANDATE OF THE INDEPENDENT EXPERT ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY
The Independent Expert on human rights and international solidarity is one of the thematic special procedures overseen by the United Nations Human Rights Council. The mandate holder is responsible for promoting the realization of the right to international solidarity. The Independent Expert has several duties, including developing further the guidelines, standards, norms, and principles related to the right to international solidarity. In doing so, the Independent Expert seeks contributions from governments, agencies of the United Nations (UN), and intergovernmental and nongovernmental organizations. The Independent Expert also makes recommendations on ways to progressively attain the full realization of the right to international solidarity. Finally, a central purpose of the Independent Expert is to develop a draft declaration on the right of peoples and individuals to international solidarity.
The Independent Expert has established three stages for carrying out the mandate. Stage One consists of past work, in which international solidarity has been confirmed as a fundamental conception that is essential to global partnerships, poverty eradication, and the realization of all human rights. Stage Two consists of the examination of issues, principles, standards, and norms related to international solidarity and consultation with States and relevant stakeholders. Stage Three consists of consolidating and analyzing the results of the first two stages and elaborating the draft declaration for ultimate submission to the Human Rights Council.
COMPOSITION AND WORKING METHODS
The mandate of the Independent Expert lasts for a period of three years. The mandate is filled by one highly qualified individual.
The UN Commission on Human Rights established the mandate of the Independent Expert in 2005 with Resolution 2005/55. The Human Rights Council extended the mandate in 2008 (Resolution 7/5), 2011 (Resolution 17/6), and 2014 (Resolution 26/6).
In fulfilling the mandate, the Independent Expert undertakes country visits and submits activity reports to the UN General Assembly and Human Rights Council.
Country Visits
One important function of the Independent Expert is to conduct country visits, which it does on the basis of an invitation from the country concerned. Country visits provide the Independent Expert an opportunity to dialogue with national and regional governmental authorities, civil society groups, nongovernmental organizations, and academia about experiences related to solidarity.
The Independent Expert undertakes visits to States that have extended an invitation. So far, the Independent Expert has visited Brazil.
More than 100 countries have extended standing invitations to country visits by all thematic special procedures. View the list of countries that have extended standing invitations here.
Reports to the UN General Assembly and Human Rights Council
The Independent Expert reports annually to the Human Rights Council and the UN General Assembly on all of its activities relating to its mandate. These reports are available on the Independent Expert’s Annual Reports webpage.
CONTACT INFORMATION
The Independent Expert may be contacted by:
- Mail:
Independent Expert on Human Rights and International Solidarity
c/o Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
Palais des Nations
8-14 Avenue de la Paix
CH-1211 Geneva 10
Switzerland
- Telephone: (41-22) 928 9458
- Fax: (+41-22) 928 90 10
- Email: [email protected]