Special Rapporteur on the promotion of truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-recurrence

MANDATE OF THE SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON THE PROMOTION OF TRUTH, JUSTICE, REPARATION AND GUARANTEES OF NON-RECURRENCE

The Special Rapporteur on the promotion of truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-recurrence is one of the thematic special procedures overseen by the United Nations Human Rights Council. The mandate holder monitors situations in which there have been gross violations of human rights and international humanitarian law. One of the roles of the Special Rapporteur is to raise awareness of the value of a systematic and coherent approach to addressing gross violations of human rights and humanitarian law, including the importance of uncovering the truth of what happened and ensuring that victims and survivors have access to justice and reparation.

The Special Rapporteur studies trends, developments, and challenges in standards, practices, and experiences in order to make recommendations to strengthen the promotion of truth, justice, reparation, and guarantees of non-recurrence. The mandate holder also conducts country visits and actively participates in relevant conferences and seminars on issues that relate to the mandate.

The Special Rapporteur must apply a gender perspective throughout the work of his or her mandate. The Special Rapporteur endeavors to integrate a victim-centered approach throughout the work of the mandate.

COMPOSITION AND WORKING METHODS

The mandate of the Special Rapporteur lasts for a period of three years. The mandate is filled by one highly qualified individual.

The UN Human Rights Council established the Special Rapporteurship in 2011 with Resolution 18/7. The mandate has not yet been extended.

In fulfilling the mandate, the Special Rapporteur undertakes country visits and submits activity reports to the UN General Assembly and Human Rights Council.

Country Visits

One important function of the Special Rapporteur is to conduct country visits, which it does on the basis of an invitation from the country concerned. Country visits provide the Special Rapporteur an opportunity to examine the transitional justice measures that have been taken to address violations of human rights and humanitarian law. They also help the Special Rapporteur identify gaps in protection and make helpful recommendations.

The Special Rapporteur generally undertakes one visit per year, to States that have extended an invitation. View the list of previous country visits and the Special Rapporteur’s subsequent reports here.

More than 100 countries have extended standing invitations to country visits by all thematic special procedures. View the list of countries that have extended standing invitations here.

Reports to the UN General Assembly and Human Rights Council

The Special Rapporteur reports annually to the Human Rights Council and the UN General Assembly on all of its activities relating to its mandate. These reports are available on the Special Rapporteur’s Annual Reports webpage.

CONTACT INFORMATION

The Special Rapporteur may be contacted by:

  • Mail:

Special Rapporteur on the promotion of truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-recurrence
c/o Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
Palais des Nations
8-14 Avenue de la Paix
CH-1211 Geneva 10
Switzerland