About the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on terrorism

The Special Rapporteur is mandated by HRC resolution 15/15:

1. To make concrete recommendations on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism, including, at the request of States, for the provision of advisory services or technical assistance on such matters;
2. To gather, request, receive and exchange information and communications from and with all relevant sources, including Governments, the individuals concerned and their families, representatives and organizations, including through country visits, with the consent of the State concerned, on alleged violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism;
3. To integrate a gender perspective throughout the work of his/her mandate;
4. To identify, exchange and promote best practices on measures to counter terrorism that respect human rights and fundamental freedoms;
5. To work in close coordination with other relevant bodies and mechanisms of the United Nations, and in particular with other special procedures of the Council, in order to strengthen the work for the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while avoiding unnecessary duplication of efforts;
6. To develop a regular dialogue and discuss possible areas of cooperation with Governments and all relevant actors, including relevant United Nations bodies, specialized agencies and programmes, with, inter alia, the Counter-Terrorism Committee of the Security Council, including its Executive Directorate, the Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Terrorism Prevention Branch of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and treaty bodies, as well as non-governmental organizations and other regional or subregional international institutions, while respecting the scope of his/her mandate and fully respecting the respective mandates of the above-mentioned bodies and with a view to avoiding duplication of effort;
7. To report regularly to the Council and to the General Assembly.

The Special Rapporteur is additionally mandated by HRC resolution 40/16 to address the human rights and fundamental freedoms of victims of terrorism.

General Assembly resolution 60/158 requests all Governments to cooperate fully with the Special Rapporteur in the performance of the tasks and duties mandated, including by reacting promptly to the urgent appeals of the Special Rapporteur and providing the information requested.

HRC resolution 13/26 requests all Governments to give serious consideration to responding favourably to requests by the Special Rapporteur to visit their countries.

In the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy adopted by consensus by the General Assembly in resolution 60/288, Member States commit to support role of the Special Rapporteur, and indicated that the Special Rapporteur should continue to support the efforts of States and offer concrete advice by corresponding with Governments, making country visits, liaising with the United Nations and regional organizations and reporting on these issues.

General Assembly resolution 73/174 requests the Special Rapporteur to contribute to the work of the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism through, inter alia, participation in the Global Counter-Terrorism Coordination Compact.

HRC resolution 42/18 invites the Special Rapporteur to pay attention to the negative effect of terrorism on the enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms, and to make recommendations in this regard.

Terms of reference for country visits are here.

Resolutions

In April 2005, the Commission on Human Rights, in resolution 2005/80, created a mandate of a special rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism. Like other Special Procedures, this mandate was assumed by the Human Rights Council (General Assembly resolution 60/251), and extended for one year, subject to the review to be undertaken by the Council (Human Rights Council decision 1/102).

Subsequently, the mandate was extended by the Human Rights Council for a period of three years by resolution 6/28 on 14 December 2007. Further extensions for the same period were done by resolutions 15/15 (2010), 22/8 (2013), 31/3 (2016) and 40/16 (2019).

On 12 April 2022, the Human Rights Council extended the mandate of the Special Rapporteur for a further period of three years through resolution 49/10.