Independent Expert on international order

Independent Expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order

Purpose of the mandate

The aspirations of all peoples for an international order are based on the principles enshrined in the Charter. This includes promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all and respect for the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples, peace, democracy, justice, equality, the rule of law, pluralism, development, better standards of living and solidarity.
As a result, a democratic and equitable international order means all peoples:

• have the rights to peace, international solidarity, development and self-determination;
• exercise effective sovereignty over their natural wealth and resources;
• freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development;
• have equal opportunity to participate meaningfully in regional and international decision-making; and
• have a shared responsibility to address threats to international peace and security.

A democratic and equitable international order fosters the full realization of all human rights for all, and everyone is entitled to it.

About the mandate

On 29 September 2011, the Human Rights Council adopted resolution 18/6 on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order. Resolution 18/6 established the mandate of the Independent Expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order for an initial period of three years. Since then, the mandate has been extended three times, on 25 September 2014 (A/HRC/RES/27/9), on 28 September 2017 (A/HRC/RES/36/4) and on 6 October 2020 (A/HRC/RES/45/4), for three years each.

The Human Rights Council has further renewed its commitment to the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order by adopting resolutions 21/9, 25/15, 30/29, 33/3, 36/4, 39/4, 42/8 and 45/4. 

Read more about the mandate

Current mandate holder

Livingstone Sewanyana is the Founder and Executive Director of the Foundation for Human Rights Initiative (FHRI), a Ugandan civil society organization. He is a lawyer by profession and advocate of the High Court of Uganda. Mr. Sewanyana has written and published widely on human rights, corporate governance, public sector management and access to justice. He has received several awards for his scholarly and professional work.

Read Mr. Sewanyana’s full biography

Former mandate holders

Mr. Alfred de Zayas USA)
1 May 2012 - 30 April 2018