UN: SR on promotion and protection of human rights while countering terrorism

In April 2005, the Commission on Human Rights, in resolution 2005/80, decided to appoint, for a period of three years, a special rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism. Like other Special Procedures, this mandate was assumed by the Human Rights Council (General Assembly resolution 60/251), and extended for one year, subject to the review to be undertaken by the Council (Human Rights Council decision 2006/102).

In December 2007, the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism was subject to review undertaken by the Human Rights Council. In resolution 6/28, the Council recalled earlier Commission on Human Rights resolutions, including 2005/80 of 21 April 2005 and certain General Assembly resolutions, including 60/158 of 16 December 2005 and 62/159 of 12 December 2007 on the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism. Further, the Council decided to extend the mandate for a period of three years and requested the Special Rapporteur:

(a) To make concrete recommendations on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism, including, at the request of States, for the provision of advisory services or technical assistance on such matters;

(b) To gather, request, receive and exchange information and communications from and with all relevant sources, including Governments, the individuals concerned, their families, representatives and organizations, including through country visits, with the consent of the State concerned, on alleged violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism, with special attention to areas not covered by existing mandate-holders;

(c) To integrate a gender perspective throughout the work of his/her mandate;

(d) To identify, exchange and promote best practices on measures to counter terrorism that respect human rights and fundamental freedoms;

(e) To work in close coordination with other relevant bodies and mechanisms of the United Nations, and in particular with other special procedures of the Human Rights Council, in order to strengthen the work for the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while avoiding unnecessary duplication of efforts;

(f) To develop a regular dialogue and discuss possible areas of cooperation with Governments and all relevant actors, including relevant United Nations bodies, specialized agencies and programmes, inter alia with the Counter-Terrorism Committee of the Security Council, including its Executive Directorate, the Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Terrorism Prevention Branch of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and treaty bodies, as well as non-governmental organizations and other regional or subregional international institutions, while respecting the scope of his/her mandate and fully respecting the respective mandates of the above-mentioned bodies and with a view to avoiding duplication of effort;

(g) To report regularly to the Human Rights Council and to the General Assembly.

Special Rapporteur:

Mr. Martin SCHEININ (Finland)