The 23rd Annual Meeting of Special Procedures will take place in Geneva from 6 to 10 June 2016. The Annual Meeting offers mandate holders the opportunity to discuss issues of common interest, coordinate their work and meet with a range of stakeholders, including States and civil society organizations. This years’ meeting will focus in particular on the following topics:

• As part of the 10th anniversary of the Human Rights Council as well as the completion of 10 years of the Coordination Committee of Special Procedures this year, mandate holders will assess the achievements of the special procedures system since the establishment of the first mandate.
• In terms of working methods, mandate holders will focus on enhancing coordination and developing common approaches to mandate transcending and cross-cutting issues. In this context, they will review their communications procedure, address issues related to potential conflicts of interest and explore how to further coordinate country action.
• The meeting will also discuss issues related to acts of intimidation and reprisal against those cooperating with the special procedures as well as issues related to cooperation with special procedures in general. Cooperation with regional mechanisms will also be addressed.
• Mandate holders will in addition engage with stakeholders on issues related to human rights mainstreaming within the United Nations and how they can contribute to this initiative. In this context, they will meet with heads of OHCHR field presences with a particular focus on cooperation and follow-up to the work and recommendations of special procedures at the national level.
• Mandate holders will also meet with the High Commissioner, the President of the Human Rights Council, Member States and civil society/NHRIs.

Civil society organizations are invited to submit relevant information or points for consideration by the special procedures by 31 May 2016, which will serve to inform the discussions. Submissions can be sent to Ms. Nathalie Rondeux (nrondeux@ohchr.org) and Ms. Laura Kruger (lkruger@ohchr.org).