President’s Statement at the induction session of the new Special Procedures mandate-holders

4 September 2014

Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am very much delighted and honoured to attend this induction session for the new Special Procedures mandate-holders in my capacity as President of the Human Rights Council.

I would like to seize this opportunity to congratulate all of you for your appointment as mandate- holders and express my appreciation for the work undertaken on the field to promote and protect human rights.

As noticed, the Special Procedures mandate–holders have an important role to play in promoting and protecting human rights. Indeed, as independent human rights experts, you have been mandated to report, advice and provide recommendations on human rights issues from either a thematic or a country-specific perspective. Your substantive reports shall represent the main reliable sources of information for the Human Rights Council and a solid basis for the improvement of the human rights situations on the ground as well as for discussion.

Therefore, I would like to kindly remind you of the need to respect the code of conduct for Special Procedures mandate-holders adopted by Council resolution 5/2, in particular its articles 10, 11, 12, and 14 related to the proceeding of conducting urgent appeals, countries field visits, stating private opinions and the public nature of the mandate as well as exchanging communication with Governments, respectively.

Some complaints have been raised by Member States on these issues and I would like to advice you to comply with existing rules in order to ensure the success of your mandates.

Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

This year is unique for the human rights machinery, as the Council is renewing and appointing a significant number of mandate holders, up to 33 of a total of 52 existing mandates. In addition to this, the new mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities was established during the 26th session of the Human Rights Council.

The Council places great importance on the work undertaken by all of you at the forefront of the events through your press releases, visits on the field, urgent communications as well as your participation to special sessions, as seen most recently during the last two special sessions. My intention is to continue to follow the established practice which is to invite Special Procedures to future special sessions.

Before concluding, I would like to reaffirm my commitment to condemn and reject any act of intimidation or reprisal against individuals and groups who cooperate or have cooperated with the United Nations, its representatives and mechanisms in the field of human rights. As President of the Human Rights Council, I will thus continue to urge States to prevent and ensure adequate protection against such acts.

Finally, I would like to once again congratulate you and wish you good luck in your endeavours I am looking forward to closely working and cooperating with you.