Future-Proofing the Human Rights Council: Practical Ways Forward for the Special Procedures

On 14 October, the GHRH hosted a second roundtable discussion gathering the UN diplomatic community in Geneva, UN officials and select NGOs to translate ongoing conversations on the Special Procedures into policy relevant proposals and pathways for the broader human rights system and beyond. Programme Officer Emma Bapt presented preliminary findings and recommendations of a report that will take stock of the Special Procedures’ achievements in the past two decades and suggest pathways for action for increasing their effectiveness and engagement with other parts of the human rights system and the broader UN system. The report (scheduled end of 2026) is also informed by ongoing discussions within the HRC and over a dozen interviews with key stakeholders on challenges and opportunities related to the Special Procedures system.

Both roundtables formed part of an ongoing policy research project at the GHRH which seeks to offer creative thinking on the future of the Council and contribute concrete options to strengthening its sustainable functioning and contribution to UN80-related reform efforts. This project is supported by the German Federal Foreign Office.

Four key takeaways from these discussions are worth noting.

      1. Convergence among key stakeholders exists, bringing hope to the system’s future.

A useful starting point emerging from these discussions is that while the Special Procedures have been at the center of significant controversy and debate, including within the UN system, general convergence exists among key stakeholders around the idea that the Special Procedures system should be protected, both as a whole and its individual mandate holders, but needs improvement. The system’s protection is and should be a key priority, although some level of revisiting is necessary to ensure its efficiency, effectiveness and impact moving forward. While key stakeholders differ on what improvement should look like, any changes should not mean weakening the system and its mandates but rather taking small steps to build and consolidate its long-term sustainability, efficiency, effectiveness and impact, as well as making deliberate and strategic choices about where duplication can be reduced and resources used and/or re-invested more effectively. This largely depends on commensurate, appropriate and regular budgeting to support mandates across the board.

      2. The Special Procedures system needs a solid value proposition for visibility and impact.

If the system is to continue to deliver impact, remain visible and attractive, communicating and spotlighting how and where Special Procedures thematic and country mandate holders have had a tangible impact on local communities and in local, national and international decision-making processes, and building a solid value proposition for the system are key priorities moving forward. While some OHCHR initiatives are ongoing, the UN human rights office cannot do this alone nor does it hold the capacity or resources for this. Non-governmental, human rights organizations, independent policy research projects, among other initiatives, provide key opportunities moving forward.

Part of a value proposition for the Special Procedures could be framed in the following ways: Special Procedures mandate holders as ‘norm-setters,’ fronting their significant contributions to the development of international norms and standards and unique flexibility in working around geopolitical gridlocks to address human rights issues; mandate holders as a vital ‘bridge’ between the UN and local realities, building relationships that in turn can create bridges between local civil society and government actors; and Special Procedures as a key early warning actor with untapped potential for the prevention of violent conflict.

      3. Focus should be on the system’s effectiveness, impact, follow-up and implementation.

A likely consequence of reduced country visits and SP reporting will be a decreased visibility of the Special Procedures both on the ground and in New York. In a context where country and New York engagements are being reduced, exploring creative alternatives to reduced engagements is vital to ensure that the Special Procedures remain relevant. Part of this entails bringing mandate holders into spaces where their voices matter, spotlighting Special Procedures’ impact at local, national and international levels, and moving the needle towards coherent follow-up and implementation.

Practical ideas could include regional debates with rapporteurs in New York, follow-up engagements in lieu of full missions, particularly for long-standing mandates, informal consultations around SP recommendations with key stakeholders at the outset of country visits, and making use of digital tools to assist in relationship-building. Further, the Special Procedures system needs a follow up system, particularly for implementation of the wealth of recommendations generated by mandate holders. Existing follow up processes within the Treaty Bodies and the Universal Periodic Review, though imperfect, may provide helpful lessons and good practices.

      4. Identifying entry points and opportunities into the broader UN system matters both for the Special Procedures and beyond.

Part of moving beyond the savings discussion involves thinking about pragmatic and strategic entry points and opportunities for the Special Procedures in other parts of the UN human rights system and the broader UN system. This would contribute to capitalizing on its full potential and ensuring the system is future-proof for the challenges ahead. Identifying and actionizing concrete and pragmatic entry points and opportunities for the Special Procedures to engage with other human rights mechanisms as well as the broader UN system, including beyond the Third Committee, should be a key priority. Some examples include integrating Special Procedures’ expertise into national prevention strategies processes, feeding Special Procedures’ early warnings into the broader peacebuilding ecosystem, among others.

The GHRH thanks our partners and supporters for the invaluable expertise, insights and support for this project, as well as the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights for its ongoing collaboration. For more information on the project see here. A final report will be presented to the UN diplomatic community in December 2026 and subsequently available on the GHRH website.