Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons
About the mandate
Internally displaced persons may face discrimination and obstacles to fully enjoy their human rights because of their displacement. This mandate was created to:
- Address the complex problem of internal displacement, in particular by mainstreaming the human rights of the internally displaced into all relevant parts of the United Nations system;
- Work towards strengthening the international response to the complex problem of internal displacement due to reasons including armed conflict, generalized violence, human rights violations and disasters; and
- To engage in coordinated international advocacy and action for improving protection and respect of the human rights of internally displaced persons, while continuing and enhancing inclusive dialogue with Governments, intergovernmental, regional and non-governmental organizations and other relevant actors.
The Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons is an independent human rights expert appointed by the United Nations Human Rights Council. The first Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons was appointed in September 2010, with the same functions as the former Representative of the Secretary-General on the human rights of internally displaced persons. The mandate was most recently renewed in 2022, through Resolution A/HRC/RES/50/6.
Current mandate holder
Ms. Paula Gaviria Betancur (Colombia) was appointed Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons by the Human Rights Council in September 2022 and assumed the mandate on 1 November 2022.
Latest thematic reports
Latest country reports
Contact Information
Ms. Paula Gaviria Betancur
Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons
OHCHR-UNOG
8-14 Avenue de la Paix
1211 Geneve 10, Switzerland
Email: hrc-sr-idp@un.org
Former mandate holders
Ms. Cecilia Jimenez-Damary (Philippines)
2016-2022
Dr. Chaloka Beyani (Zambia)
2010-2016
Mr. Walter Kälin (Switzerland)
2004 - 2010
Mr. Francis Deng (Sudan)
1992-2004
Activities
Statement at the cross-regional exchange on implementation of law and policy relted to internal displacement, San Remo, Italy (WORD - PDF)
6-9 June 2023
Replies from the ICC Prosecutor regarding the Situation in the State of Palestine
26 April 2023 and 12 May 2023
32 UN experts issue a joint letter to the ICC Prosecutor regarding the Situation in the State of Palestine and Annex
23 March 2023
Virtual side event to the UN General Assembly on the prevention of arbitrary displacement in armed conflict and generalized violence
4 November 2021
Videos
Human Rights 75 | Everyone Has the Right to Seek Safety
November 2023
Watch on YouTube