A/HRC/43/64
47.
The fact that a number of mandate holders had again been subjected to public and ad
hominem attacks for carrying out their work is of serious concern. Inciting hatred and
violence against a mandate holder is unacceptable.
48.
The Human Rights Council should provide a space to discuss issues related to
cooperation, including challenges, good stories and examples of cooperation. In this context,
special procedures have started documenting good stories and examples illustrating the
impact of their work to illustrate the various ways in which they contribute to the promotion
and protection of human rights at all levels. The non-exhaustive compilation of examples
collected so far shows that this impact can take many forms. It could, for example, result in
the revision of a law, the adoption of a new policy decision, a change in the attitude of a
country towards a specific issue, a positive outcome for specific individuals, the
documentation and the end of a specific human rights violation, a successful contribution to
United Nations processes, such as those involving migration and climate change, the
development of new standards or, more generally, raising awareness about a human rights
issue and facilitating dialogue and advocacy on these issues. These good stories are
available on a dedicated web page6 that will be updated regularly.
III. Coordination Committee of Special Procedures
49.
In 2019, the Coordination Committee of Special Procedures continued to facilitate
coordination among mandate holders and interaction with a range of stakeholders. It
pursued efforts to respond to requests from mandate holders and other stakeholders and to
act as the main body representing special procedures, including by strengthening the
visibility of the special procedures system. The Committee had face-to-face meetings three
times a year.
50.
The Coordination Committee held consultations with a wide range of stakeholders,
including the Secretary-General, the Senior Adviser on Policy, the High Commissioner for
Human Rights, various senior representatives of the Department of Peace Operations, the
Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, including the Peacebuilding Support
Office, the Department for General Assembly and Conference Management, the United
Nations Development Programme, resident coordinators, members of the Security Council,
members of the Peacebuilding Commission, States Members of the United Nations and
civil society.
51.
Meetings took place with the President of the General Assembly, the President of
the Human Rights Council and the Chair of the Third Committee to raise awareness about
issues related to special procedures and their contributions to intergovernmental processes.
In addition, the Coordination Committee engaged with the Consultative Group regarding
the selection procedure for mandate holders.
52.
The Coordination Committee participated in various meetings related to the Human
Rights Council and the place of human rights within the United Nations. In addition, the
Committee and its Chair held a series of meetings with delegations and groups of
delegations to maintain dialogue and provide a space where issues related to special
procedures could be discussed. Informal conversations with States, civil society
organizations and other stakeholders took place on 24 May and 16 December 2019. In
cooperation with States, civil society organizations and national human rights institutions,
the Committee also held an event on “Continuous improvement of the system and impact of
the work of special procedures – sharing of examples” on 2 September. The constant efforts
made to address the concerns raised by stakeholders led to adjustments and improvements
to the system.
53.
In May and December 2019, the Coordination Committee met in Geneva to discuss
issues relating to the special procedures system as a whole. The Committee focused on the
functioning of the special procedures system and related issues, particularly conflicts of
interest, the independence of the special procedures, communications, acts of intimidation
and reprisal, ad hominem attacks against mandate holders, cooperation with Member States
and the status and visibility of the special procedures system within the United Nations. The
6
10
See www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/SP/Pages/SPGoodStories.aspx.
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