Expert Meeting Discusses how to Evaluate the Impact of UN Special Procedures

7 December 2020

During an online expert meeting hosted by the Geneva Human Rights Platform, more than 20 United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteurs and members of UN working groups, as well as staff from the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), civil society representatives and lawyers explored how the impact of UN Special Procedures’ visits, recommendations and inquiries can be effectively measured and evaluated.

‘Special procedures of the UN Human Rights Council are a major component of today’s global human rights protection system. Their work not only allows addressing specific cases or situations but also contributes significantly to clarify the content of specific rights and related states’ obligations. Evaluating their impact is therefore key to ensure the continued relevance of this important mechanism’ underlines Felix Kirchmeier, Executive Director of the Geneva Human Rights Platform and Manager of Policy Studies at the Geneva Academy.

OHCHR Work and Examples from Three Mandate Holders

The meeting began with an introduction presenting the work of OHCHR in developing mechanisms to review and appraise the progress made by UN Special Procedures mandates in protecting and promoting human rights.

Three mandate holders – the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights, the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Assembly and Association Clément Voulé, and the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture Nils Melzer – presented their work and discussed how they measure their impact, notably in relation to country visits and inquiries.

‘The discussion showed that there is not only one way to measure impact and that this is work in progress. This exchange was important to share experiences, methodologies and best practices’ explains Felix Kirchmeier.

Portrait of Nils Melzer, UN Special Rapporteur on torture

The Role of NGOs, Civil Society Organizations and Human Rights Defenders

In the second session, NGO representatives, civil society organizations and human rights defenders who co-operate with UN Special Procedures presented how this cooperation provides opportunities to all stakeholders to gauge their own performance and determine where refinements could further enhance efforts in advocacy and rights protection.

Towards Common Tools

The final session of the meeting addressed how the respective mandates could integrate some common evaluation tools to facilitate benchmarking while also remaining flexible as to the choice of indicators used for measurement.

Participants also highlighted the need to integrate into the assessment less tangible aspects of the work, such as improvements in capacity building, the impact on long-term policymaking or the longer-term influence on states to engage in programmes for the promotion and protection of human rights.

‘This meeting provided us with invaluable insights for our work on the evaluation of the impact of UN Special Procedures’ visits, recommendations and inquiries. We will publish a working paper on this issue shortly, along with a report of the meeting’s findings’ says Felix Kirchmeier.

MORE ON THIS THEMATIC AREA

Training course on the UPR News

A Successful First Year for the GHRP Training Hub

16 December 2022

In 2022, the new Training Hub of the Geneva Human Rights Platform (GHRP) conducted seven training courses – two regular courses and five customized courses – in Geneva, online and in the field.

Read more

Online folders News

New Publication Assesses Innovative Digital Human Rights Tracking Tools and Databases

20 March 2023

The new Working Paper published by our Geneva Human Rights Platform identifies convergences, challenges and best practices related to innovative digital human rights tracking tools and databases.

Read more

Event

Universal Declaration of Human Rights at 75: Reimagining Protection for a World in Turmoil

12 June 2023, 14:00-15:30

This event, co-organized with Amnesty International, will discuss the gains made since the UDHR adoption, challenges to the international normative framework on human rights and what the international community needs to do for a better future.

Read more

A general view of participants during of the 33nd ordinary session of the Human Rights Council. Training

The Universal Periodic Review and the UN Human Rights System: Raising the Bar on Accountability

13-17 November 2023

This training course will explore the origin and evolution of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) and its functioning in Geneva and will focus on the nature of implementation of the UPR recommendations at the national level.

Read more

View of a session of the UN Human Rights Committee Training

The International Human Rights Standards and System: Monitoring and Implementation Strategies at the National Level

3-7 July 2023

This training course will delve into the means and mechanisms through which national actors can best coordinate their human rights monitoring and implementation efforts, enabling them to strategically navigate the UN human rights system and use the various mechanisms available in their day-to-day work.

Read more

George Floyd protest in Washington D.C. Project

Promoting and Protecting the Rights to Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and Association and Civic Space Worldwide

Started in June 2020

This project aims at providing support to the UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights to Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and of Association Clément Voulé by addressing emerging issues affecting civic space and eveloping tools and materials allowing various stakeholders to promote and defend civic space.

Read more

A destroyed camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Khor Abeche, South Darfur, Project

Understanding the Relationship between Conflict, Security and the Human Right to a Clean, Healthy and Sustainable Environment

Started in May 2023

This project will develop guidance to inform security, human rights and environmental debates on the linkages between environmental rights and conflict, and how their better management can serve as a tool in conflict prevention, resilience and early warning.

Read more

Cover page of the research brief Publication

Climate Change in the Security Council: Obstacles, Opportunities, and Options

published on May 2023

Erica Harper, Adam Day

Read more