Special procedures - Thematic mandates - Special Rapporteurs :

Special Rapporteur on adequate housing as a component of the right to an adequate standard of living:

M. Raquel ROLNIK ( India )

Mandate:

1. To promote the full realization of adequate housing as a component of the right to an adequate standard of living;
2. To identify best practices as well as challenges and obstacles to the full realization of the right to adequate housing, and identify protection gaps in this regard;
3. To give particular emphasis to practical solutions with regard to the implementation of the rights relevant to the mandate;
4. To apply a gender perspective, including through the identification of gender-specific vulnerabilities in relation to the right to adequate housing and land;
5. To facilitate the provision of technical assistance;
6. To work in close cooperation, while avoiding unnecessary duplication, with other special procedures and subsidiary organs of the Human Rights Council, relevant United Nations bodies, the treaty bodies and regional human rights mechanisms;
7. To submit a report on the implementation of the present resolution to the General Assembly and to the Council.

Special Rapporteur on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography:

Ms. Najat M'JID MAALA ( Uruguay )

Mandate:

1. To analyse the root causes of the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography;
2. To identify new patterns of sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography;
3. To identify, exchange and promote best practices on measures to combat the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography;
4. To continue efforts to promote comprehensive strategies and measures on the prevention of sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography;
5. To make recommendations on the promotion and protection of human rights of children actual or potential victims of sale, prostitution and pornography, as well as on the aspects related to the rehabilitation of child victims of sexual exploitation.

Special Rapporteur on the right to education:

Mr. Vernor MUÑOZ VILLALOBOS ( Costa Rica )

Mandate:

1. To gather, request, receive and exchange information from all relevant sources, including Governments, intergovernmental organizations, civil society, including non-governmental organizations, and other concerned stakeholders, on the realization of the right to education on and obstacles limiting effective access to education, and to make recommendations on appropriate measures to promote and protect the right to education;
2. To intensify efforts aimed at identifying ways and means to overcome obstacles and difficulties in the realization of the right to education;
3. To make recommendations that could contribute to the realization of the Millennium Development Goals, and in particular of development goals 2 and 3, and of the goals of the Education for All initiative agreed upon at the World Education Forum;
4. To integrate a gender perspective in all of his work;
5. To review the interdependence and interrelatedness of the right to education with other human rights;
6. To cooperate with the United Nations Children’s Fund, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, the International Labour Organization, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, other special rapporteurs, representatives, experts and members of working groups of the Human Rights Council, and other relevant United Nations bodies, including human rights treaty bodies, and regional organizations, as well as to pursue the dialogue with the World Bank;
7. To report to the Council on a yearly basis, in accordance with the Council’s programme of work, and to report yearly to the General Assembly on an interim basis.

Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions:

Mr. Philip ALSTON ( Australia )

Mandate:

1. To continue to examine situations of extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions in all circumstances and for whatever reason, and to submit his or her findings on an annual basis, together with conclusions and recommendations, to the Council and the General Assembly, and to draw the attention of the Council to serious situations of extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions that warrant immediate attention or where early action might prevent further deterioration;
2. To continue to draw the attention of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to serious situations of extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions that warrant immediate attention or where early action might prevent further deterioration;
3. To respond effectively to information which comes before him or her, in particular when an extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary execution is imminent or threatened or when such an execution has occurred;
4. To enhance further his or her dialogue with Governments, as well as to follow up on recommendations made in reports after visits to particular countries;
5. To continue monitoring the implementation of existing international standards on safeguards and restrictions relating to the imposition of capital punishment, bearing in mind the comments made by the Human Rights Committee in its interpretation of article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, as well as the Second Optional Protocol thereto;
6. To apply a gender perspective in his or her work

Special Rapporteur on the right to food:

Mr. Olivier DE SCHUTTER (Belgium)

Mandate:

1. To promote the full realization of the right to food and the adoption of measures at the national, regional and international levels for the realization of the right of everyone to adequate food and the fundamental right of everyone to be free from hunger so as to be able fully to develop and maintain their physical and mental capacities;
2. To examine ways and means of overcoming existing and emerging obstacles to the realization of the right to food;
3. To continue mainstreaming a gender perspective and taking into account an age dimension in the fulfilment of the mandate, considering that women and children are disproportionately affected by hunger, food insecurity and poverty;
4. To submit proposals that could help the realization of Millennium Development Goal No. 1 to halve by the year 2015 the proportion of people who suffer from hunger, as well as to realize the right to food, in particular, taking into account the role of international assistance and cooperation in reinforcing national actions to implement sustainable food security policies;
5. To present recommendations on possible steps with a view to achieving progressively the full realization of the right to food, including steps to promote the conditions for everyone to be free from hunger and as soon as possible enjoy fully the right to food, taking into account lessons learnt in the implementation of national plans to combat hunger;
6. To work in close cooperation with all States, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, as well as with other relevant actors representing the broadest possible range of interests and experiences, within their respective mandates, to take fully into account the need to promote the effective realization of the right to food for all, including in the ongoing negotiations in different fields;
7. To continue participating in and contributing to relevant international conferences and events with the aim of promoting the realization of the right to food.

Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression:

Mr. Frank William La Rue LEWY ( Guatemala )

Mandate:

1. To gather all relevant information, wherever it may occur, relating to violations of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, discrimination against, threats or use of violence, harassment, persecution or intimidation directed at persons seeking to exercise or to promote the exercise of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, including, as a matter of high priority, against journalists or other professionals in the field of information;
2. To seek, receive and respond to credible and reliable information from Governments, non-governmental organizations and any other parties who have knowledge of these cases;
3. To make recommendations and provide suggestions on ways and means to better promote and protect the right to freedom of opinion and expression in all its manifestations;
4. To contribute to the provision of technical assistance or advisory services by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to better promote and protect the right to freedom of opinion and expression;
5. To draw the attention of the Council and the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to those situations and cases regarding the right to freedom of opinion and expression which are of particularly serious concern;
6. To integrate the human rights of women and a gender perspective throughout the work of his/her mandate;
7. With a view to greater efficiency and effectiveness in promoting and protecting the right to freedom of opinion and expression, to continue his/her efforts to cooperate with other relevant United Nations bodies, including the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the human rights treaty bodies, special procedures and mechanisms, specialized agencies, funds and programmes, regional intergovernmental organizations and their mechanisms, and national human rights institutions, and to develop and extend his/her network of relevant non-governmental organizations, particularly at the local level;
8. To report on instances in which the abuse of the right of freedom of expression constitutes an act of racial or religious discrimination, taking into account articles 19 (3) and 20 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and general comment No. 15 of the Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial
9. Discrimination, which stipulates that the prohibition of the dissemination of all ideas based upon racial superiority or hatred is compatible with the freedom of opinion and expression;
10. To consider approaches taken to access to information with a view to sharing best practices;
11. To continue to provide his/her views, when appropriate, on the advantages and challenges of new information and communication technologies, including the Internet and mobile technologies, for the exercise of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, including the right to seek, receive and impart information and the relevance of a wide diversity of sources, as well as access to the information society for all;

Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief:

Ms. Asma JAHANGIR ( Pakistan )

Mandate:

1. To promote the adoption of measures at the national, regional and international levels to ensure the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of religion or belief;
2. To identify existing and emerging obstacles to the enjoyment of the right to freedom of religion or belief and present recommendations on ways and means to overcome such obstacles;
3. To continue her/his efforts to examine incidents and governmental actions that are incompatible with the provisions of the Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief and to recommend remedial measures as appropriate;
4. To continue to apply a gender perspective, inter alia, through the identification of gender-specific abuses, in the reporting process, including in information collection and in recommendations.

Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health:

Mr. Anand GROVER ( India )

Mandate:

1. To gather, request, receive and exchange information from all relevant sources, including Governments, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, on the realization of the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health, as well as policies designed to achieve the health-related Millennium Development Goals;
2. To develop a regular dialogue and discuss possible areas of cooperation with all relevant actors, including Governments, relevant United Nations bodies, specialized agencies and programmes, in particular the World Health Organization and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, as well as non-governmental organizations and international financial institutions;
3. To report on the status, throughout the world, of the realization of the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health and on developments relating to this right, including on laws, policies and good practices most beneficial to its enjoyment and obstacles encountered domestically and internationally to its implementation;
4. To make recommendations on appropriate measures to promote and protect the realization of the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health, with a view to supporting States’ efforts to enhance public health;
5. To submit an annual report to the Human Rights Council and an interim report to the General Assembly on its activities, findings, conclusions and recommendations.
6. The Human Rights Council further encourages the Special Rapporteur:
7. To continue to explore how efforts to realize the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health can reinforce poverty reduction strategies;
8. To continue the analysis of the human rights dimensions of the issues of neglected diseases and diseases particularly affecting developing countries, and also the national and international dimensions of those issues;
9. To continue to pay particular attention to the identification of good practices for the effective operationalization of the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health;
10. To continue to apply a gender perspective in her/his work and to pay special attention to the needs of children and other vulnerable and marginalized groups in the realization of the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health;
11. To pay due attention to the rights of persons with disabilities in the context of the realization of the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health;
12. To continue to pay attention to sexual and reproductive health as an integral element of the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health;
13. To continue to avoid in her/his work any duplication or overlapping with the work, competence and mandate of other international bodies active in health issues;
14. To submit proposals that could help the realization of the health-related Millennium Development Goals.

Special Rapporteur on the situation of Human rights defenders:

Ms. Margaret SEKAGGYA ( Uganda )

Mandate:

1. To seek, receive, examine and respond to information on the situation of human rights defenders;
2. To establish cooperation and conduct dialogue with governments and other interested actors on the promotion and effective implementation of the Declaration;
3. To recommend effective strategies better to protect human rights defenders and follow up on these recommendations;
4. To integrate a gender perspective throughout her work.

Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers:

Mr. Leandro DESPOUY ( Argentina )

Mandate:

1. To inquire into any substantial allegations transmitted to him or her and to report his or her conclusions and recommendations thereon;
2. To identify and record not only attacks on the independence of the judiciary, lawyers and court officials but also progress achieved in protecting and enhancing their independence, and make concrete recommendations, including the provision of advisory services or technical assistance when they are requested by the State concerned;
3. To identify ways and means to improve the judicial system, and make concrete recommendations thereon;
4. To study, for the purpose of making proposals, important and topical questions of principle with a view to protecting and enhancing the independence of the judiciary and lawyers and court officials;
5. To apply a gender perspective in his or her work;
6. To continue to cooperate closely, while avoiding duplication, with relevant United Nations bodies, mandates and mechanisms and with regional organizations;
7. To report regularly to the Council in accordance with its programme of work, and annually to the General Assembly;

Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people :

Mr. James ANAYA ( USA )

Mandate:

1. To examine ways and means of overcoming existing obstacles to the full and effective protection of the human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people, in conformity with his/her mandate, and to identify, exchange and promote best practices;
2. To gather, request, receive and exchange information and communications from all relevant sources, including Governments, indigenous people and their communities and organizations, on alleged violations of their human rights and fundamental freedoms;
3. To examine ways and means of overcoming existing obstacles to the full and effective protection of the human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people, in conformity with his/her mandate, and to identify, exchange and promote best practices;
4. To gather, request, receive and exchange information and communications from all relevant sources, including Governments, indigenous people and their communities and organizations, on alleged violations of their human rights and fundamental freedoms;
5. To formulate recommendations and proposals on appropriate measures and activities to prevent and remedy violations of the human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people;
6. To work in close cooperation, while avoiding unnecessary duplication, with other special procedures and subsidiary organs of the Human Rights Council, relevant United Nations bodies, the treaty bodies, and human rights regional organizations;
7. To formulate recommendations and proposals on appropriate measures and activities to prevent and remedy violations of the human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people;
8. To work in close cooperation, while avoiding unnecessary duplication, with other special procedures and subsidiary organs of the Human Rights Council, relevant United Nations bodies, the treaty bodies, and human rights regional organizations;

Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants:

Mr. Jorge A. BUSTAMANTE ( Mexico )

Mandate:

1. To examine ways and means to overcome the obstacles existing to the full and effective protection of the human rights of migrants, recognizing the particular vulnerability of women, children and those undocumented or in an irregular situation;
2. To request and receive information from all relevant sources, including migrants themselves, on violations of the human rights of migrants and their families;
3. To formulate appropriate recommendations to prevent and remedy violations of the human rights of migrants, wherever they may occur;
4. To promote the effective application of relevant international norms and standards on the issue;
5. To recommend actions and measures applicable at the national, regional and international levels to eliminate violations of the human rights of migrants;
6. To take into account a gender perspective when requesting and analyzing information, and to give special attention to the occurrence of multiple discrimination and violence against migrant women;
7. To give particular emphasis to recommendations on practical solutions with regard to the implementation of the rights relevant to the mandate, including by identifying best practices and concrete areas and means for international cooperation; To report regularly to the Council, according to its annual programme of work, and to the General Assembly, at the request of the Council or the Assembly;
8. To take into consideration, in carrying out his or her mandat,e relevant human rights instruments of the United Nations to promote and protect the human rights of migrants;
9. To request, receive and exchange information, in carrying out this mandate, on violations of the human rights of migrants from Governments, treaty bodies, specialized agencies, special rapporteurs for various human rights questions and from intergovernmental organizations, other competent organizations of the United Nations system and non-governmental organizations, including migrants' organizations, and to respond effectively to such information;
10. To continue, as part of his or her activities, his or her programme of visits, which contribute to improving the protection afforded to the human rights of migrants and to the broad and full implementation of all the aspects of his or her mandate;
11. To take into account, in carrying out his or her mandate, bilateral and regional negotiations that aim at addressing, inter alia, the return and reinsertion of migrants who are undocumented or in an irregular situation;

Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance:

Mr. Githu MUIGAI ( Kenya )

Mandate:

1. To gather, request, receive and exchange information and communications with all relevant sources, on all issues and alleged violations falling within the purview of his/her mandate, and to investigate and make concrete recommendations, to be implemented at the national, regional and international levels, with a view to preventing and eliminating all forms and manifestations of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, focusing, inter alia, on the following issues:
 

(a) Incidents of contemporary forms of racism and racial discrimination against Africans and people of African descent, Arabs, Asians and people of Asian descent, migrants, refugees, asylum-seekers, persons belonging to minorities and indigenous peoples, as well as other victims included in the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action;

(b) Situations where the persistent denial of individuals belonging to different racial and ethnic groups of their recognized human rights, as a result of racial discrimination, constitutes gross and systematic violations of human rights;

(c) The scourges of anti-Semitism, Christianophobia, Islamophobia in various parts of the world, and racist and violent movements based on racism and discriminatory ideas directed at Arab, African, Christian, Jewish, Muslim and other communities;

(d) Laws and policies glorifying all historic injustices and fuelling contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance and underpinning the persistent and chronic inequalities faced by racial groups in various societies;

(e) The phenomenon of xenophobia;

(f) Best practices in the elimination of all forms and manifestations of racism, racial dissemination, xenophobia and related intolerance;

(g) Follow-up to the implementation of all relevant paragraphs of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action and the promotion of the establishment of national, regional and international mechanisms to combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance;

(h) The role of human rights education in promoting tolerance and the elimination of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance;

(i) Respect for cultural diversity as a means to prevent racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance;

(j) Incitement to all forms of hatred, taking into account article 20, paragraph 2, of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and instances of racially motivated hate speech, including the dissemination of ideas of racial superiority or that incite racial hatred, taking into account article 4 of the InternationalConvention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and general comment No. 15 of the Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, which states that the prohibition of the dissemination of all ideas based upon racial superiority or hatred is compatible with the freedom of opinion and expression;

(k) The sharp increase in the number of political parties and movements, organizations and groups which adopt xenophobic platforms and incite hatred, taking into account the incompatibility of democracy with racism;

(l) Laws and policies glorifying or legitimizing historic injustices, including colonialism;

(m) The impact of some counter-terrorism measures on the rise of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, including the practice of racial profiling and profiling on the basis of any grounds of discrimination prohibited by international human rights law;

(n) Institutional racism and racial discrimination;

(o) The efficiency of the measures taken by Governments to remedy the situation of victims of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance;

(p) Impunity for acts of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, and maximizing remedies for the victims of these violations;

2. To develop a regular dialogue and discuss areas of possible cooperation with Governments and all relevant actors concerning issues pertaining to his/her mandate, and to provide technical assistance or advisory services at the request of the concerned States;
3. To play a role of advocacy and to engage in the mobilization of political will with all relevant actors in States for the elimination of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance;
4. To coordinate, as appropriate, with other relevant bodies and mechanisms of the United Nations;
5. To integrate a gender perspective throughout the work of his/her mandate, highlighting women’s rights and reporting on women and racism;
6. To continue his/her exchange of views and consultation, while avoiding unnecessary duplication, with the relevant mechanisms and treaty bodies within the United Nations system, in particular on the issues referred to in subparagraphs (c), (g) and (j) of paragraph 2 above, in order to further enhance their effectiveness and mutual cooperation;
7. To report regularly to the Council and the General Assembly;

Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery, including its causes and consequences:

Ms. Gulnara SHAHINIAN ( Armenia )

Mandate:

1. To examine and report on all contemporary forms of slavery and slavery-like practices, but in particular those defined in the Slavery Convention of 1926, and the Supplementary Convention on the Abolition of Slavery, the Slave Trade and Institutions and Practices Similar to Slavery of 1956, as well as all other issues covered by the Working Group on Contemporary Forms of Slavery including forced prostitution and its human rights dimensions; in the discharge of his/her mandate, the Special Rapporteur will:

   (a) Focus principally on aspects of contemporary forms of slavery which are not covered by existing mandates of the Human Rights Council;

   (b) Promote the effective application of relevant international norms and standards on slavery;

   (c) Request, receive and exchange information on contemporary forms of slavery from Governments, treaty bodies, special procedures, specialized agencies, intergovernmental organizations, and non-governmental organizations and other relevant sources, including on slavery practices and, as appropriate, and in line with the current practice, respond effectively to reliable information on alleged human rights violations with a view to protecting the human rights of victims of slavery and preventing violations;

   (d) Recommend actions and measures applicable at the national, regional and international levels to eliminate slavery practices wherever they occur, including remedies which address the causes and consequences of contemporary forms of slavery, such as poverty, discrimination and conflict as well as the existence of demand factors and relevant measures to strengthen international cooperation;

2. To give careful consideration to specific issues within the scope of the mandate and to include examples of effective practices as well as relevant recommendations;
3. To take account of the gender and age dimensions of contemporary forms of slavery;

Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights while countering terrorism:

Mr. Martin SCHEININ( Finland )

Mandate:

1. To make concrete recommendations on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism, including, at the request of States, for the provision of advisory services or technical assistance on such matters;
2. To gather, request, receive and exchange information and communications from and with all relevant sources, including Governments, the individuals concerned, their families, representatives and organizations, including through country visits, with the consent of the State concerned, on alleged violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism, with special attention to areas not covered by existing mandate-holders;
3. To integrate a gender perspective throughout the work of his/her mandate;
4. To identify, exchange and promote best practices on measures to counter terrorism that respect human rights and fundamental freedoms;
5. To work in close coordination with other relevant bodies and mechanisms of the United Nations, and in particular with other special procedures of the Human Rights Council, in order to strengthen the work for the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while avoiding unnecessary duplication of efforts;
6. To develop a regular dialogue and discuss possible areas of cooperation with Governments and all relevant actors, including relevant United Nations bodies, specialized agencies and programmes, inter alia with the Counter-Terrorism Committee of the Security Council, including its Executive Directorate, the Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Terrorism Prevention Branch of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and treaty bodies, as well as non-governmental organizations and other regional or subregional international institutions, while respecting the scope of his/her mandate and fully respecting the respective mandates of the above-mentioned bodies and with a view to avoiding duplication of effort;
7. To report regularly to the Human Rights Council and to the General Assembly;

Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment:

Mr. Manfred NOWAK( Austria )

Mandate:

1. To seek, receive, examine and act on information from Governments, intergovernmental organizations, civil society organizations, individuals and groups of individuals regarding issues and alleged cases concerning torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment;
2. To conduct country visits with the consent or at the invitation of Governments;
3. To study, in a comprehensive manner, trends, developments and challenges in relation to combating and preventing torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, and to make recommendations and observations concerning appropriate measures to prevent and eradicate such practices;
4. To identify, exchange and promote best practices on measures to prevent, punish and eradicate torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment;
5. To integrate a gender perspective throughout the work of his or her mandate;
6. To continue to cooperate with the Committee against Torture, the Subcommittee for the Prevention of Torture and relevant United Nations mechanisms and bodies and, as appropriate, regional organizations and mechanisms, national human rights institutions, national preventive mechanisms and civil society, including non-governmental organizations;
7. To report on his or her activities, observations, conclusions and recommendations to the Council, in accordance with its programme of work, and annually on the overall trends and developments with regard to his or her mandate to the General Assembly;

Special Rapporteur on the adverse effects of the illicit movement and dumping of toxic and dangerous products and wastes on the enjoyment of human rights:

Mr. Okechukwu IBEANU ( Nigeria )

Mandate:

1. Investigate and examine the effects of the illicit dumping of toxic and dangerous products and wastes in African and other developing countries on the enjoyment of human rights, in particular on the human rights to life and health of everyone;
2. Investigate, monitor, examine and receive communications and gather information on the illicit traffic and dumping of toxic and dangerous products and wastes in African and other developing countries;
3. Make recommendations and proposals on adequate measures to control, reduce and eradicate the illicit traffic in, transfer to and dumping of toxic and dangerous products and wastes in African and other developing countries;
4. Produce annually a list of the countries and transnational corporations engaged in the illicit dumping of toxic and dangerous products and wastes in African and other developing countries and a census of human persons killed, maimed or otherwise injured in the developing countries through this heinous act.

Special Rapporteur ontrafficking in persons especially in women and children:

Ms. Sigma HUDA ( Bangladesh )

Mandate:

1. To promote the prevention of trafficking in persons in all its forms and the adoption of measures to uphold and protect the human rights of victims;
2. To promote the effective application of relevant international norms and standards and to contribute to the further improvement of them;
3. To integrate a gender and age perspective throughout the work of his or her mandate, inter alia through the identification of gender- and age-specific vulnerabilities in relation to the issue of trafficking in persons;
4. To identify and share best practices as well as challenges and obstacles in order to uphold and protect the human rights of the victims and to identify protection gaps in this regard;
5. To give particular emphasis to recommendations on practical solutions with regard to the implementation of the rights relevant to the mandate, including by the identification of concrete areas and means for international cooperation to tackle the issue of trafficking in persons;
6. To request, receive and exchange information on trafficking in persons from Governments, treaty bodies, special procedures, specialized agencies, intergovernmental organizations and non-governmental organizations and other relevant sources, as appropriate, and, in accordance with current practice, respond effectively to reliable information on alleged human rights violations with a view to protecting the human rights of actual or potential victims of trafficking;
7. To work in close cooperation, while avoiding unnecessary duplication, with other special procedures and subsidiary organs of the Council, relevant United Nations bodies and mechanisms, including the Inter-agency Coordination Group on Trafficking in Persons, the treaty bodies and regional human rights mechanisms, as well as national human rights institutions and civil society and the private sector;

Special Representative of the Secretary-General on human rights and transnational corporations and other business enterprises:

Mr. John RUGGIE ( USA )

Mandate:

1. To provide views and concrete and practical recommendations on ways to strengthen the fulfilment of the duty of the State to protect all human rights from abuses by or involving transnational corporations and other business enterprises, including through international cooperation;
2. To elaborate further on the scope and content of the corporate responsibility to respect all human rights and to provide concrete guidance to business and other stakeholders;
3. To explore options and make recommendations, at the national, regional and international level, for enhancing access to effective remedies available to those whose human rights are impacted by corporate activities;
4. To integrate a gender perspective throughout his work and to give special attention to persons belonging to vulnerable groups, in particular children;
5. Identify, exchange and promote best practices and lessons learned on the issue of transnational corporations and other business enterprises, in coordination with the efforts of the human rights working group of the Global Compact;
6. To work in close coordination with United Nations and other relevant international bodies, offices, departments and specialized agencies, and in particular with other special procedures of the Council;
7. To promote the framework and to continue to consult on the issues covered by the mandate on an ongoing basis with all stakeholders, including States, national human rights institutions, international and regional organizations, transnational corporations and other business enterprises, and civil society, including academics, employers’ organizations, workers’ organizations, indigenous and other affected communities and non-governmental organizations, including through joint meetings;

Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences:

Ms. Yakin ERTÜRK ( Turkey )

Mandate:

1. To seek and receive information on violence against women, its causes and its consequences, from Governments, treaty bodies, specialized agencies, other special rapporteurs responsible for various human rights questions, and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, including women’s organizations, and to respond effectively to such information;
2. To recommend measures, ways and means, at the local, national, regional and international levels, to eliminate all forms of violence against women and its causes, and to remedy its consequences;
3. To work closely with all special procedures and other human rights mechanisms of the Council and with the treaty bodies, taking into account the request of the Council that they regularly and systematically integrate the human rights of women and a gender perspective into their work, and cooperate closely with the Commission on the Status of Women in the discharge of its functions;
4. To continue to adopt a comprehensive and universal approach to the elimination of violence against women, its causes and consequences, including causes of violence against women related to the civil, cultural, economic, political and social spheres;
5. To continue to cooperate with regional intergovernmental organizations and any of their mechanisms engaged in the promotion and protection of the human rights of women and girls;