Special Rapporteur on the right to health
Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health
Purpose of the mandate
For millions of people throughout the world, the full enjoyment of the right to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health remains a distant goal. In many cases, this goal is becoming even harder to reach. This is especially true for those in vulnerable situations including, among others:
- indigenous peoples
- migrants and refugees
- internally displaced people
- people affected by extreme poverty
- minority communities
- people with disabilities
- people who live in residential institutions
- people in detention
- people who use drugs
- LGBT and gender diverse persons
The mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the right to physical and mental health was created to:
- Gather, request, receive and exchange information on the realization of the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health;
- Foster dialogue on possible cooperation with relevant actors, including Governments, the UN—and in particular WHO and UNAIDS—NGOs and financial institutions;
- Report on the realization of the right to health throughout the world, including on laws, policies, good practices and obstacles, making recommendations to promote and protect this right and to support States’ enhancement of public health; and
- Address specific cases of alleged violations of the right to physical and mental health for everyone.
More about why the right to health is an important human rights issue
About the mandate
The mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the right to physical and mental health was originally established by the Commission on Human Rights in April 2002 by resolution 2002/31.
The mandate was endorsed and extended by the Human Rights Council with resolutions 6/29 of 14 December 2007, and was most recently renewed by resolution 42/16 of 7 October 2019.
Current mandate holder
Ms. Tlaleng Mofokeng, from South Africa, was appointed as Special Rapporteur by the UN Human Rights Council at its forty-fourth session in July 2020. She is a medical doctor with expertise advocating for universal health access, HIV care, youth-friendly services and family planning.
Key documents
A guide on the human rights of sex workers
An Updated Compendium on Comprehensive Sexuality Education
Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights General Comment No. 14
Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights General Comment No. 3
OHCHR-WHO Fact Sheet no. 31 on the right to health
Latest thematic reports
Latest country reports
Contact Information
Ms. Tlaleng Mofokeng, Special Rapporteur on the right to health
OHCHR-UNOG
8-14 Avenue de la Paix
1211 Geneve 10, Switzerland
Tel: +41(0) 22.917.90.06
E-mail:
hrc-sr-health@un.org
Former mandate holders
Mr. Dainius Pūras (Lithuania), August 2014-July 2020
Mr. Anand Grover (India), August 2008-July 2014
Mr. Paul Hunt (New Zealand), August 2002-July 2008
Activities
Statement on the harm reduction for sustainable peace and development
24 October 2024
Joint statement on the death penalty and same-sex conduct
10 October 2024
Statement by Tlaleng Mofokeng during the 56th session of the Human Rights Council
24 June 2024
Videos
Harm reduction over punishment: ending discrimination in drug policies
26 June 2024
Watch on YouTube
The Special Rapporteur on the right to health speaks on the health situation in Gaza
08 November 2023
Watch on YouTube