Engage with UN Human Rights Mechanisms
Individuals and civil society play an integral role in monitoring and reporting human rights violations. Civil society generally constitutes human rights defenders, relatives of victims, human rights organizations, issue-based organizations, coalitions and networks, faith-based groups, and many others. These actors and individuals can, and should, bring human rights violations to the attention of UN Treaty Bodies–the Human Rights Council, the Human Rights Committee of the ICCPR, and Committee on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights–and Special Procedures. By doing so, these actors give a voice to the powerless, particularly in venues that may be out of victims’ reach.
With the hope of greater engagement in mind, the resources below aim to familiarize individuals and groups with the UN Treaty Bodies and Special Procedures and to assist in reporting human rights violations. The OHCHR Guide Book linked below provides comprehensive information about UN Human Rights Mechanisms and how civil society can engage with them.
 Civil Society Handbook, information to better acquaint civil society with UN mechanisms |
 Directory of Special Procedures, contact information for all Special Rapporteurs |
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| Download PDF | Download PDF |
UN Special Procedures
To submit complaints to UN special procedures, including the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention and Special Rapporteurs, visit OHCHR’s website. The questionnaire table is also available below.
Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iran and OHCHR’s Iran Officer
To submit complaints, in English or Persian, to the Special Rapporteur on Iran and OHCHR’s Iran Officer email [email protected] or [email protected].
These submissions can also be made to the High Commissioner’s Office by emailing [email protected] or mailing to this address:
OHCHR- Palais Wilson
United Nations office at Geneva
CH-1211 Geneva 10
Switzerland
Please include, at minimum, the below information:
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Basic personal information on the person whose human rights have allegedly been violated (name, nationality, date of birth) |
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Name of the State party against which the complaint is directed |
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Proof of consent or authorization, in hard copy, if the complaint is on someone’s behalf (also called “power of attorney”) |
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A thorough account of the facts in chronological order |
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Details of steps taken to exhaust all judicial remedies, and administrative remedies that may be available in State concerned |
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Details of any other submissions of the case and the facts involved |
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Account of why the facts in the case amount to a violation based on provisions of the treaty–with relevant articles noted |
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All documents relevant to the claims and arguments (court decisions, etc.) |
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Copies of relevant national laws, where available |
UN Treaty Bodies and Human Rights Council
Complaints to UN Treaty Bodies must include which human rights treaty body you are writing to; a list is available here. To submit complaints to these bodies, email [email protected] or write to this address:
Petitions Team
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
Palais des Nations
8–14, avenue de la Paix
CH–1211 Geneva 10 – Switzerland
Fax: +41 (0)22 917 90 22 (particularly for urgent matters, submit hard copies)
When writing or emailing, use the checklist below to ensure your submission includes all required information:
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Basic personal information on the person whose human rights have allegedly been violated (name, nationality, date of birth) |
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Name of the State party against which the complaint is directed |
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Proof of consent or authorization, in hard copy, if the complaint is on someone’s behalf (also called “power of attorney”) |
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A thorough account of the facts in chronological order |
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Details of steps taken to exhaust all judicial remedies, and administrative remedies that may be available in State concerned |
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Details of any other submissions of the case and the facts involved |
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Account of why the facts in the case amount to a violation based on provisions of the treaty–with relevant articles noted |
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All documents relevant to the claims and arguments (court decisions, etc.) |
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Copies of relevant national laws, where available |
As a general rule, communications containing abusive language are not considered.
To submit complaints to the Human Rights Council, visit the Complaint Procedure page.
If your complaint meets the criteria, fill out the complaint procedure form and email it to <mailto:[email protected]>[email protected] or mail to this address:
Complaint Procedure Unit
Human Rights Council Branch
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
United Nations Office at Geneva
CH-1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland
Fax: (41 22) 917 90 11
Universal Periodic Review (2014 submission deadline passed)
To submit information for possible inclusion in OHCHR’s submission to a Universal Periodic Review, or those submitting for a country’s UPR, email: [email protected]. Requirements for submission begin on page 8 of the Technical Guidelines document, available here.
Supplemental Material
Learn more about efforts to strengthen Treaty Bodies and the impact of Special Procedures in the policy brief and policy report below.
 The Outcome of the General Assembly’s Treaty Body Strengthening Process |
 Human Rights Special Procedures: Determinants of Influence |
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| Download PDF | Download PDF |