A/HRC/21/51
36.
The attention of mandate holders was drawn to the tools to enhance informationsharing, including the upgraded Universal Human Rights Index database; the annual
calendar of the human rights mechanisms, developed jointly by the Human Rights Treaty
Division, the Special Procedures Branch and the Human Rights Council Branch, integrating
information on activities relating to special procedures, the Human Rights Council, the
treaty bodies and the universal periodic review; and the special procedures extranet. The
point was made that basic documents were sometimes not translated into all languages of
the United Nations, and that rules limiting the word count of documents might compromise
the work of mandate holders. Suggestions for improvement were made, in particular in
relation to the OHCHR website, and the development of further tools was recommended.
37.
Some mandate holders reiterated serious concerns raised on previous occasions
about United Nations editorial policies and practices, especially with regard to reports
submitted to the General Assembly, which sometimes resulted in substantive changes to
reports, especially in sensitive areas, without consultation with the relevant mandate holder.
The point was also made that mandate holders who worked in more than one official
language of the United Nations should have the possibility of giving input into the language
versions of their reports, as problems similar to those relating to editing had arisen.
Strategies to address these issues were proposed.
VII. Consultations with stakeholders
A.
States
38.
The Chairperson noted that mandate holders continuously sought to strengthen
cooperation and dialogue with States, and that maintaining a constructive dialogue
enhanced the common goal of improving human rights protection at the national level.
States welcomed the opportunity for interaction and expressed support for the work and
independence of human rights mandate holders. Several States recalled that it was
important for special procedures to be guided by independence, non-selectivity and
impartiality, and that they carry out their mandate in accordance with the Code of Conduct.
Other States pointed to the crucial role of special procedures. Several States raised the issue
of the funding of special procedures, while some suggested that this support should be
provided solely through the regular budget of the United Nations or unearmarked
contributions to OHCHR. Transparency in this area was essential to avoid any perception
of lack of independence.
39.
Several States enquired whether standing invitations were honoured in practice and
whether information was available on the number of requests addressed to countries that
had issued standing invitations yet denied access. States also raised the need to increase
coordination among mandate holders prior to making visit requests. Several mandate
holders pointed out that their requests for a visit frequently remain unanswered, and that
this compromised their ability to coordinate and plan work, and use their limited resources
effectively. It was also observed that, in recent instances, acceptance by the State of a visit
had sometimes been received very late, which created significant obstacles to the conduct
of the mission.
40.
Several States expressed appreciation for the visits made by special procedures that
they had recently hosted. Questions were raised about the consistency of working methods
and methodology in the area of follow-up. The mandate holders pointed out that they
wished to strengthen modalities to sustain follow-up after visits, and also raised the
importance of internal coordination across Government entities, given that the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs does not always adequately involve other relevant ministries and
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