A/HRC/5/21
page 39
recommendations on the issue of the review and possibly the enhancement and rationalization of
all mandates, mechanisms, functions and responsibilities of the Commission on Human Rights,
in order to maintain a regime of special procedures in accordance with paragraph 6 of
General Assembly resolution 60/251,
Noting further resolution 2/1 of 27 November 2006, in which the Council requested the
Open-ended Intergovernmental Working Group to “draft a code of conduct regulating the work
of the special procedures”,
Considering that this code of conduct is an integral part of the review, improvement and
rationalization called for in General Assembly resolution 60/251 that, inter alia, seeks to enhance
the cooperation between Governments and mandate-holders which is essential for the effective
functioning of the system,
Considering also that such a code of conduct will strengthen the capacity of
mandate-holders to exercise their functions whilst enhancing their moral authority and credibility
and will require supportive action by other stakeholders, and in particular by States,
Considering further that one should distinguish between, on the one hand, the
independence of mandate-holders, which is absolute in nature, and, on the other hand, their
prerogatives, as circumscribed by their mandate, the mandate of the Human Rights Council, and
the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations,
Mindful of the fact that it is desirable to spell out, complete and increase the visibility of
the rules and principles governing the behaviour of mandate-holders,
Noting the Regulations Governing the Status, Basic Rights and Duties of Officials other
than Secretariat Officials, and Experts on Mission that was adopted by the General Assembly in
resolution 56/280 of 27 March 2002,
Noting also the draft Manual of the United Nations Human Rights Special Procedures
adopted in 1999 by the sixth annual meeting of mandate-holders, as revised,
Taking note of the deliberations and proposals of the Open-ended Intergovernmental
Working Group on Review of Mandates,
1.
Urges all States to cooperate with, and assist, the special procedures in the
performance of their tasks and to provide all information in a timely manner, as well as respond
to communications transmitted to them by the special procedures without undue delay;
2.
Adopts the Code of Conduct for Special Procedures Mandate-Holders of the
Human Rights Council, the text of which is annexed to the present resolution and whose
provisions should be disseminated by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for
Human Rights, to the mandate-holders, to the Member States of the United Nations and to other
concerned parties.
Select target paragraph3
Connect to a paragraph
Connect to an entity
Disable highlights
Add to table of contents