UN Special Rapporteur

The Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council are independent human rights experts with mandates to report and advise on human rights from a thematic or country-specific perspective. The system of Special Procedures is a central element of the United Nations human rights machinery and covers all human rights: civil, cultural, economic, political, and social.

To access the reports by the Special Rapporteur to the UN Human Rights Council and the Commission on Human Rights, click here.

Andrea Bolaños Vargas: UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders

On 31 March 2026, the UN Human Rights Council appointed Andrea Bolaños Vargas as the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, succeeding Mary Lawlor.

Congratulating Andrea Bolaños Vargas on her appointment, Alan Glasgow, CEO of Front Line Defenders, said:

“Front Line Defenders warmly congratulates Andrea Bolaños Vargas on her appointment.”

“At a time when human rights defenders are facing unprecedented pressure and accelerating backsliding, her leadership will be vital to ensuring that defenders’ voices resonate powerfully at the heart of the UN system and that they are backed by the principled, unwavering support they need now more than ever.”

Front Line Defenders & the UN Special Rapporteur

Front Line Defenders supports the Mandate of the Special Rapporteur with six-month appointments of Frank Jennings Interns at the office of the Special Rapporteur in Geneva.

Front Line Defenders submits urgent appeals to the Special Rapporteur and consults with his office on cases and in preparation for research missions conducted on behalf of the Mandate.

Reports by the UN Special Rapporteur onthe situation of Human Rights defenders