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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.

Mary Lawlor: UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders

In March 2020, the President of the Human Rights Council apppointed Ms. Mary Lawlor as the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders..

Congratulating Ms. Lawlor on her appointment, Tánaiste and Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney said: “Mary has been a tireless advocate for human rights for over 40 years both in Ireland and overseas.

“This appointment is deserving recognition of her work and that of the organisation she founded – Front Line Defenders – supporting human rights defenders at risk around the world.”

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.