What are Communications?
Communications are central to the work of the Special Rapporteur’s mandate. They are a direct communication channel with governments that allow the Special Rapporteur to react immediately and effectively in response to violations. They are also essential in drawing Governments’ and other stakeholders’ attention to alleged violations of the rights covered by the mandate.
The communications are based on letters received by the mandate which disclose allegations on present or past rights abuses, or other communications which divulge practices which are considered to be detrimental to or in violation with the rights covered by the mandate.
How are communications processed?
The Special Rapporteur receives, analyses and treats these communications, and follows up with a letter – generally including details of the alleged victims – to the concerned government or other instances accused of committing or having committed the violations. The letter will ask for clarifications regarding the allegations made, giving the relevant government the possibility to disclose their view. The Special Rapporteur will also use this channel to ask the concerned authorities to prevent, stop, investigate and where necessary hold accountable those responsible, with due compensation for the victims.
The mandate also regularly provides comments to States and other private actors on the adequacy of normative and policy developments with international standards for the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association. These comments are made public as soon as they have been transmitted to the relevant government.
Consult all the communications sent by the mandate holders since 2010 using OHCHR’s Communications Search Database here.
You can access the letters concerning law and policy sent since 2018 by the UN Special Rapporteur and the responses to these communications here.