Communications of special procedures

The special procedures of the Human Rights Council are independent human rights experts with mandates to report and advise on human rights from a thematic or country-specific perspective.

Special procedures mechanisms can intervene directly with Governments on allegations of violations of human rights that come within their mandates. They can intervene by sending letters which include urgent appeals, and by other communications. The intervention can relate to a human rights violation that has already occurred, is ongoing, or which has a high risk of occurring.

The intervention process involves contacting to the concerned State identifying the facts of the allegation, applicable international human rights norms and standards, concerns and questions of the mandate-holder(s), and a request for follow-up action.

Leaflet on Special procedures communications: Arabic | English |  French | Spanish

Further statistical information on communications can be found in the annual Facts and Figures on Special Procedures.

In order to avoid duplication in reporting, rationalize documentation, allow examination of cross cutting issues and ensure that the content of communications and any follow-up would feed into the universal periodic review mechanism more effectively special procedures mandate holders decided that a joint communications report would be prepared (cf. A/HRC/12/47, paras 24-26). This report contains summaries of communications, the text of the communications sent and replies received, and statistical information (A/HRC/15/44, para. 26-27).

In addition to the joint communications reports, the communications database provides easy access to the communications sent by special procedures and replies received by States and other actors since 2011. You can also search for communications sent and replies received by mandate and by state.