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MANDATE OF THE SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON THE HUMAN RIGHTS OF INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS
The Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons is one of the thematic special procedures overseen by the United Nations Human Rights Council. The mandate holder engages in international advocacy to improve the protection of the human rights of internally displaced persons. Relying on the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement for guidance, the Special Rapporteur undertakes country visits, convenes national and regional seminars, and works with governments, intergovernmental, regional, and nongovernmental organizations and other actors to strength the international response to internal displacement.
COMPOSITION AND WORKING METHODS
The mandate of the Special Rapporteur lasts for a period of three years. The mandate is filled by one highly qualified individual.
The UN Commission on Human Rights established the Special Rapporteurship in 2004 with Resolution 2004/55. The Human Rights Council extended the mandate in 2007 with Resolution 6/32, in 2010 with Resolution 14/6, and in 2013 with Resolution 23/8.
In fulfilling the mandate, the Special Rapporteur undertakes country visits and submits activity reports to the UN General Assembly and Human Rights Council.
Country Visits
One important function of the Special Rapporteur is to conduct country visits, which it does on the basis of an invitation from the country concerned. Country visits provide the Special Rapporteur an opportunity to assess whether and to what extent the needs of internally displaced persons are being met. The Special Rapporteur also engages with governments, non-state actors, international and local humanitarian agencies, civil society, displaced persons, and others during country visits.
The Special Rapporteur generally undertakes two to four visits per year, to States that have extended an invitation. View the list of previous country visits and the Special Rapporteur’s subsequent reports here.
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 Special Rapporteur 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 Special Rapporteur’s Annual Reports webpage.
CONTACT INFORMATION
The Special Rapporteur may contacted by:
- Mail:
Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons
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
- Fax: + 41 22 917 9006
- Email: [email protected]