Choosing where to submit your complaint
This comparison table will help guide you in knowing where to turn should you wish to submit a complaint of an alleged human rights violation.
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Special procedures |
Treaty bodies |
Human Rights Council |
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What can you complain about? |
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Any human rights |
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Any of the rights that fall under one of the 40+ Special Procedures mandates |
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Any of the rights protected by the treaty under which you are complaining |
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Who can submit a complaint? |
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Victims |
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Individuals acting on behalf of victims |
If they have the written consent of the victims | ||
Groups of individuals or communities |
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If they have the written consent of the victims |
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Non-governmental organizations |
If they have the written consent of the victims |
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Civil society organizations |
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If they have the written consent of the victims | |
National human rights institutions |
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If they have the written consent of the victims | |
In each case, there are eligibility criteria. See the FAQs for each option. |
Special Procedures FAQs | Treaty Bodies FAQs | Human Rights Council FAQs |
Who can you make a complaint against? |
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Any Member State of the United Nations |
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Any State that is party to the treaty in question |
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Any State that has accepted the Committee’s competence to examine individual complaints |
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Inter-governmental organizations |
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Non-state actors |
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Is the complaints procedure public? |
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Public |
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Non-public |
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How long does it take? |
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As soon as 24 hours (for urgent cases) |
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Weeks or months |
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Two to three years |
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How do you start the complaints procedure? |
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Learn more and get details here |
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Get and fill out a complaint form |
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Get Complaint Form | Get Complaint Form | Get Complaint Form |