Meet the Rapporteurs
Meet the Special Rapporteurs
Special Rapporteur is a title given to individuals working on behalf of the United Nations who bear a specific mandate from the UN Human Rights Council (or the former UN Commission on Human Rights, UNCHR), to investigate, monitor and recommend solutions to human rights problems. They are also called "Special Procedures".
Appointed by the UN Secretary General, these experts are "of high moral character and recognized competence in the field of human rights." They act independently of governments. They do not receive any financial compensation for their work, but they receive personnel and logistical support from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. Some of these experts are called Special Representatives or Independent Experts.
Special Rapporteurs often conduct fact-finding missions to countries
to investigate allegations of human rights violations. They can only
visit countries that have agreed to invite them.
Aside from fact-finding missions, Rapporteurs regularly assess and verify complaints from alleged victims of human rights violations. Once a complaint is verified as legitimate, an urgent letter or appeal is sent to the government that has allegedly committed the violation.
Thematic Special Rapporteurs are typically appointed to serve for 3 years, after which their mandate can be extended for another 3 years. Country Special Rapporteurs are appointed to serve for 1 year, and their term is renewed every year.
To learn more about the Special Rapporteur you can:
Listen to them here in our unique series of interviews carried out in 2008
Download the latest Newsletter
Download the latest facts and figure
To see a complete list of available "Newsletters" and "Facts and Figure" you can visit the website for the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights which has a dedicated webspace explaining in detail the work carried out by the Special Rapporteur.