Executive Summary of Expert Workshop on the UN Special Procedures System available

From 6 to 7 November 2014, HRLC hosted an Expert Workshop on the United Nations Special Procedures System. This Workshop was attended by 21 experts on the subject including current and former special rapporteurs, representatives from the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), members of United Nations (UN) treaty bodies, academics and representatives of civil society organisations.

The Workshop sought to explore the strengths and weaknesses of the Special Procedures (SP) system and to consider proposals for reform. The SP system is facing challenges both externally from States and internally from within the UN system. As the profile and effectiveness of SP has grown, the attention given to the SP system by States has also increased, but not always in a positive way.

The Executive Summary of this Workshop is now available. Background information, an overview of the discussions, and proposals for reform can be found in the summary.