A/HRC/23/21 I. Introduction 1. Once again it is necessary to highlight the failure of the Government of Israel to cooperate in the implementation of the mandate of the Special Rapporteur, even to the extent of allowing him to enter occupied Palestine. Such entry is required to gain first-hand information about alleged human rights and international humanitarian violations by the occupying Power, and appropriate cooperation by Member States in such official undertakings as prescribed in Articles 104 and 105(2) of the Charter of the United Nations. It is further specified in the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations, especially article VI, section 22 thereof, on experts performing missions for the United Nations. To allow mandate holders to carry out their assignments in accordance with best practices, it is important that the Human Rights Council insist that Member States comply with these obligations. 2. The Special Rapporteur wishes to raise another concern regarding the independence, credibility and effectiveness of his mandate. Since the Special Rapporteur assumed this position, UN Watch, a “pro-Israel” lobbying organization accredited as a non-governmental organizations with the Economic and Social Council, has issued a series of defamatory attacks demeaning his character, repeatedly distorting his views on potentially inflammatory issues. This smear campaign has been carried out in numerous settings, including at the Human Rights Council, as well as university venues where the Special Rapporteur gives lectures in his personal capacity on subjects unrelated to the mandate. The organization’s smears have been sent to diplomats and United Nations officials, including the Secretary-General, who has apparently accepted the allegations at face value, issuing public criticism of the Special Rapporteur. It is disappointing that such irresponsible and dishonest attacks have been taken seriously, with no effort to seek the views of the Special Rapporteur or verify the accuracy of the allegations. To set the record straight, the Special Rapporteur proposes that United Nations Watch be investigated to determine whether it qualifies as an independent organization that operates in accord with its name and stated objectives, and is not indirectly sponsored by the Government of Israel and/or other “proIsrael” lobbying groups affiliated with the Government, as well as whether its programme of work is of direct relevance to the aims and purposes of the United Nations. 1 Even a superficial review of its website confirms the lobby’s preoccupation with character assassination, and the absence of an organizational agenda that corresponds to its claim to exercise oversight over United Nations activities. 2 Despite its efforts to discredit the Special Rapporteur, United Nations Watch has never offered substantive criticisms or entered into any serious discussion of the reports of the Special Rapporteur. Such defamation of a special procedures mandate holder is detrimental to the independence and substantive intention of any mandate. It diverts attention from the message to the messenger, and shifts public interest away from the need to protect human rights in contexts that have been identified by the Human Rights Council as of particular concern. The Special Rapporteur recommends that this issue be viewed in relation not only to his mandate, but also as a matter of principle relating to ensuring a responsible role for non-governmental organizations within the United Nations system. In like manner, it seems important to encourage a greater willingness on the part of senior United Nations officials to defend special procedures mandate holders subject to such diversionary attacks, or at the least, not to be complicit. 1 2 See http://csonet.org/?menu=30. See www.unwatch.org. 3