A/HRC/43/51/Add.3 15. It includes information that is both required and desirable in order for experts to properly examine a case and take action as needed. If it is not possible to complete the form online, the submission can be sent via e-mail to urgent-action@ohchr.org. Post submissions may be sent to OHCHR-UNOG, 8-14 Avenue de la Paix, 1211 Genève 10, Switzerland. In order to keep track of submissions, it is advised to use the online form. What happens with a submission? 16. When received, information is screened and directed to concerned Special Procedures mandates. If information has been submitted through the online form or by e-mail, an automatic acknowledgement confirming that submission has been received will follow. This does not mean that experts have taken action on the submission. 17. If one or more expert(s) send(s) a communication on the basis of a submission, the person who made the submission will not be notified, as this information remains confidential until the communication is published in one of the three reports compiling the communications to the Human Rights Council each year. 18. For more information on these reports please see: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/SP/Pages/CommunicationsreportsSP.aspx 19. Subsequent to the submission of an allegation, it is essential to keep the mandate holder updated by sending on information of any positive or negative developments which may occur and which bring about a change in the situation of the victim(s). Consent and confidentiality 20. Because communications are aimed at soliciting a response on the measures taken to stop, investigate the violations, punish those responsible and provide remedies to victims, these have to be as comprehensive, detailed and precise as possible. Therefore, communications sent to a Government or an inter-governmental organisation, a business, a military or a security company, will by default include the name(s) of the alleged victim(s). However, if the victim(s) or her/his/their representatives make(s) it clear in the submission that concerns relating to the security of the alleged victim(s) exist(s), the experts may exceptionally decide to withhold the victims’ names from the communication. 21. Reports compiling communications sent and responses received are published in a report prepared for each session of the Human Rights Council. These reports contain the letters sent by the experts, including the names of the alleged victims – except alleged victims under 18 years of age or alleged victims of sexual violence, whose names are not published. If it is clear from the submission that concerns relating to the security of the alleged victim(s) exist, the report will not mention the victim(s) by name. 22. The identity of the source of information on the alleged violation is always kept confidential. When submitting information, the source may indicate whether there are any other details that should remain confidential. It is extremely important that alleged victims and/or their families or representatives indicate in their submissions whether they DO or DO NOT consent that: • the names of the victims be disclosed in the communications to Governments, intergovernmental organisations, businesses, military or security companies. • the names of the victims appear in a public report to the Human Rights Council. What are the criteria applied to act on a submission? 23. The experts will decide whether she/he will take action on a given submission, on the basis of the information received and the scope of her/his mandate. This decision depends also on criteria laid down in the Code of Conduct for the experts (“Code of conduct of the A/HRC/40/60/Add.1 Special Procedures mandate-holders of the Human Rights Council”, Human Rights Council resolution 5/2): • the communication should not be manifestly unfounded or politically motivated; 107

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