What are the UN Special Procedures? Quelles sont les procédures spéciales de l'ONU? Their importance for SOGI.

1. The Special Procedures/Procédures spéciales

2. What are the UN Special Procedures ?
Quelles sont les procédures spéciales de l'ONU?
 independent experts (not UN
employees)
 tasked to monitor and report on
human rights violations (either
thematically or by country – UN only)
 receive urgent appeals, communicate
concerns to States, seek their
response
 Report to UN Human Rights Council
and General Assembly
 can also raise awareness through
public statements, country visits,
participation in panels and expert
seminars (eg Yogyakarta Principles)
 experts indépendants (pas le personnel
de l'ONU)
 surveiller et écrire des rapports sur les
violations des droits humains (par
thème ou par pays uniquement ONU)
 recevoir des appels urgents,
communiquer les préoccupations aux
États, demander leurs réponses
 Rapport au Conseil des droits humains
de l'ONU et à l'Assemblée générale
 peut également sensibiliser à travers des
déclarations publiques, des visites par pays,
la participation à des panels et des
séminaires spécialisés (par exemple, les
principes de Yogyakarta)

3. Types of Communications
Types de communication
There are three main kinds of communications
available to the Special Procedures. All types of
communication may be sent by individual Special
Procedure or by a combination of them.
 Allegation letters - deal with human rights
situations that have already occurred. They
outline the allegations involved and then request
information from the government on those
allegations as well as on any measures taken to
provide redress to victims. They may make
suggestions as to actions the government should
take following on from the incidents they
describe. They can deal with cases involving
violations against individuals or groups and can
also address more general concerns about the
human rights situation in a country.
Il existe trois principaux types de
communication disponibles pour les procédures
spéciales. Toutes sortes de communication
peuvent être envoyées par une procédure
spéciale individuelles ou par une combinaison
de celles-ci.
 Les lettres d'allégation - traitant des situations
de droits humains qui ont déjà eu lieu. Ils
décrivent les allégations, puis demandent des
informations au gouvernement concernant ces
allégations, ainsi que toute mesure prise pour
fournir aux victimes des recours légaux. Ils
peuvent faire des suggestions sur les mesures
que le gouvernement devrait adopter à partir
des incidents qu'ils décrivent. Ils peuvent traiter
des cas d'infraction à l'encontre de personnes ou
de groupes et peuvent également susciter des
préoccupations plus générales concernant la
situation des droits humains dans un pays.

4. Types of Communications
Types de communication
 Urgent appeals, by contrast, are designed as
emergency tools, to bring a halt to ongoing
violations or prevent violations likely to occur. The
Special Procedures aim to transmit such appeals
very soon after having received information and
request clarification on the status of individuals,
or groups, as well as reminding governments of
their responsibilities towards those persons.
 Policy/legislative communications are a relatively
new form of communication and are sent to
register concern that an existing or proposed
policy or piece of legislation has or will impact on
the enjoyment of rights by certain members of the
population.
 Les appels urgents, d'autre part, sont conçus
comme des outils d'urgence pour arrêter les
violaions en cours ou prévenir les violations
susceptibles de se produire. Les procédures
spéciales visent à transmettre de telles plaintes
très peu de temps après avoir reçu des
informations et demandé des éclaircissements
sur le statut des individus ou des groupes, ainsi
que pour rappeler aux gouvernements leurs
responsabilités vis-à-vis de ces individus.
 La communication politique / législative est une
forme de communication relativement nouvelle
et est envoyée pour faire face au fait qu'une
politique ou une législation existante ou
proposée a affecté ou affectera la jouissance des
droits de certains membres de la population.

5. Types of UN Special Procedures
Types de procédures spéciales de l'ONU
 Independent
Experts
 Special
Rapporteurs
 Working Group
 Experts
indépendants
 Rapporteurs
spéciaux
 Groupe de travail

6. 44 Thematic Special Procedures
African Descent, Albinism, Arbitrary
Detention, Business, Cultural Rights,
Development, Disability, Disappearances,
Education, Environment, Executions, Food,
Foreign Debt, Freedom of Opinion and
Expression, Freedom of Peaceful Assembly
and Association, Hazardous Substances,
Health, Housing, Human Rights Defenders,
Independence of Judges and Lawyers,
Indigenous peoples, Internally Displaced
Persons, International Order, International
Solidarity, Leprosy, Mercenaries, Migrants,
Minority Issues, Older Persons, Poverty,
Privacy, Racism, Religion or Belief, Sale of
Children, Sexual Orientation and Gender
Identity, Slavery, Terrorism, Torture,
Trafficking in Persons, Truth, Justice,
Reparation and Guarantees of Non-
recurrence, Unilateral Coercive Measures,
Violence against Women, Water and
Sanitation, Women in Law and in Practice
44 Procédures spéciales thématiques
Albinisme, Alimentation , Ascendance
Africaine, Détention Arbitraire, Dette
Extérieure, Développement, Disparitions,
Droit de Réunion Pacifique et la Liberté
d'association, Droits Culturels, Eau Potable
et assainissement, Entreprises,
Environnement, Esclavage, Exécutions,
Femmes dans la Législation et dans la
Pratique, Handicap, Indépendance des
Juges et des Avocats, Lèpre, Liberté
d'opinion et d’expression, Logement,
Mercenaires, Mesures Coercitives
Unilatérales, Migrants, Ordre International,
Orientation Sexuelle et de l'Identité de
Genre, Pauvreté, Personnes Âgées,
Personnes Déplacées dans leur propre
Pays, Peuples Autochtones, Questions
Relatives aux Minorités, Racisme, Religion
ou Conviction, Santé, Solidarité
Internationale,Substance Dangereuse,
Terrorisme, Torture, Traite des Êtres
Humains, Vente d’enfants, Vérité de la
Justice, de la Reparation et des Garanties
de non-répétition, Vie Privée, Violence
Contre les Femmes

7. 12 Country Special Procedures:
Belarus, Cambodia, Central
African Republic, Democratic
People’s Republic of Korea,
Eritrea, Iran, Mali, Myanmar,
Occupied Territories of Palestine,
Somalia, Sudan, Syria
12 procédures spéciales pays:
Bélarus, Cambodge, République
centrafricaine, République populaire
démocratique de Corée, Érythrée,
Iran, Mali, Myanmar, Territoires
Palestiniens occupées, Somalie,
Soudan, Syrie

8. Special mechanisms of the ACHPR

9. The first Independent Expert on SOGI
Le premier expert indépendant de OSIG
June 2016, Human Rights Council
23 for, 18 against and 6 abstentions
September 2016, General Assembly 3rd Committee
84 for, 77 against and 17 abstentions (after a hostile amendment was defeated)
November 2016, General Assembly plenary
77 for, 84 against and 16 abstentions (this was a hostile amendment vote)
November 2016, General Assembly 5th Committee
82 against, 65 for and 16 abstentions (this was a hostile amendment vote)
November 2016, General Assembly plenary
65 for, 81 against and 16 abstentions (this was a hostile amendment vote)
Vitit Muntarbhorn
Juin 2016, Conseil des droits humains
23 en faveur, 18 contre et 6 abstentions
Septembre 2016, 3ème comité de l'Assemblée générale
84 en faveur, 77 contre et 17 abstentions (après un changement hostile a été vaincu)
Novembre 2016, séance plénière de l'Assemblée générale
77 en faveur, 84 contre et 16 abstentions (c'était un vote de changement hostile)
Novembre 2016, 5e Comité de l'Assemblée générale
65 en faveur, 82 contre et 16 abstentions (il s'agissait d'un vote de changement hostile)
Novembre 2016, séance plénière de l'Assemblée générale
65 en faveur, 81 contre et 16 abstentions (c'était un vote de changement hostile)

11. Extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions:
[The SR] is also concerned about the 2014 amendment to
the Criminal on “aggravated homosexuality”[…].The
approval of the amendment was followed by rounds of
arrests, prosecutions and attacks, and humiliation and
even torture of persons, because of their presumed sexual
orientation. Country visit to Gambia, 2015
Human Rights defenders:
The Special Rapporteur was disappointed to be informed
that defenders working on the rights of lesbian, gay,
bisexual, transgender and intersex persons face double
discrimination on account of their status and a lack of
recognition by civil society. He was told about the verbal
and telephone threats, cases of extortion and other types
of incidents that they face. Country visit to Burundi, 2014
Violence against women:
Despite an explicit prohibition of discrimination based on
sexual orientation in the Constitution, lesbian women and
other sexual minorities are very vulnerable to extreme
forms of violence purported at “correcting” their bodies,
including the so-called “corrective rape” often
accompanied by a particularly heinous murder. Country
visit to South Africa, 2015
Some Relevant Special Procedures: Quelques procédures spéciales pertinentes:
Les exécutions extrajudiciaires, sommaires ou arbitraires:
[Le RS] est également préoccupé par la modification du code pénal
de 2014 sur «l'homosexualité intensifiée» [...]. L'approbation de
l'amendement a été suivie de séries d'arrestations, de poursuites
et d'attaques, ainsi que d'humiliation et même de torture de
personnes sur base de leur orientation sexuelle suspectée. Visite
de pays en Gambie, 2015
Défenseurs des droits humains:
Le Rapporteur spécial a été déçu que les défenseurs travaillant sur
les droits des personnes lesbiennes, gays, bisexuel-le-s,
transgenres et intersexués subissent une double discrimination en
raison de leur statut et du manque de reconnaissance de la société
civile. On lui a parlé des menaces verbales et téléphoniques, des
cas de chantage et d'autres types d'incidents auxquels ils étaient
confrontés. Visite de pays au Burundi, 2014
Violence contre les femmes:
Malgré une interdiction explicite de la discrimination fondée sur
l'orientation sexuelle dans la Constitution, les femmes lesbiennes
et les autres minorités sexuelles sont très vulnérables aux formes
extrêmes de violence présumées «corriger» leurs corps, y compris
le soi-disant «viol correctif» souvent accompagné d'un meurtre
particulièrement odieux. Visite de pays en Afrique du Sud, 201

12. The MENA Region (countries here) is currently represented by:
- Mr. Saad ALFARARGI (Egypt)(Special Rapporteur on Right to Development)
- Ms. Houria ES SLAMI (Morocco) (Working Group on Enforced and Involuntary Disappearances)
- Mr. Idriss JAZAIRY (Algeria) (Special Rapporteur on the negative impact of unilateral coercive measures on the
enjoyment of human rights)
- Ms. Emna AOUIJ (Tunisia) (Working Group on Discrimination of Women in Law and Practice)
- Mr. Suliman BALDO (Sudan)(Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Mali)
The MENA Region (countries here) is previously represented by:
- Mr. Mohammed AYAT (Morocco)(Independent Expert on capacity-building and technical cooperation with Côte d’Ivoire in
the field of human rights)
- Ms. Najat MAALLA M'JID (Morocco) (Special Rapporteur on the sale of children, child prostitution and child
pornography)
- Mr. Osman EL HAJJÉ (Lebanon) (Working Group on Enforced and Involuntary Disappearances)
- Mr. Abdelfattah AMOR (Tunisia)(Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief)
- Mr. Francis DENG (Sudan)(Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons)
- Ms. Fatma-Zohra OUHACHI-VESELY (Algeria)(Special Rapporteur on the implications for human rights of the
environmentally sound management and disposal of hazardous substances and wastes)

16. Independent Expert on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
Laws and policies that criminalize consensual
same-sex relations are part of the background
environment that leads to violence and
discrimination. Some 70 countries criminalize
same-sex relations, with a particular impact on
men who have sex with men.
Some 40 countries criminalize same-sex relations in regard to women who
have sex with women. The death penalty awaits in some countries. There
are other laws and policies of a more indirect nature, which might also be
negatively applied against certain groups and persons in relation to sexual
orientation and gender identity. They include laws based on public decency,
public health and security, at times in the guise of local criminal laws and
regulations. There are equally challenging implications from various religious
laws when applied strictly. Some countries also criminalize cross-dressing,
such as where men dress up as women and vice versa, even the
criminalization violates the person’s self-identified gender.
http://bit.ly/2sDRl8S

17. The Special Rapporteur is deeply concerned
about the continuing denigration campaigns
and the violent threats against defenders of
lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights.
The right to peaceful assembly is also often
denied to defenders working on lesbian, gay,
bisexual and transgender issues or,
Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders:
alternatively, the police does not provide adequate protection for such
demonstrations. Complaints related to violence and attacks are often not
taken seriously by the police and are not always investigated properly.
… killings of LGBT human rights defenders were alleged in five
communications, with rape and sexual violence, including against males,
being reported in a further six. Various other communications detailed
many instances of threats, death threats, physical attacks and violence,
and stigmatization. Further, the criminalization of homosexuality has in
some countries led to alleged arrests, torture and ill-treatment, including
of a sexual nature, while in other countries it effectively prevented
defenders from engaging in any advocacy for LGBT rights.

18. 77. Children who are born with atypical sex
characteristics are often subject to irreversible sex
assignment, involuntary sterilization, involuntary genital
normalizing surgery, performed without their informed
consent, or that of their parents, “in an attempt to fix their
sex”, leaving them with permanent, irreversible infertility
and causing severe mental suffering.
Special Rapporteur onTorture:
78. In many countries transgender persons are required to undergo often unwanted
sterilization surgeries as a prerequisite to enjoy legal recognition of their preferred
gender. In Europe, 29 States require sterilization procedures to recognize the legal
gender of transgender persons. In 11 States where there is no legislation regulating
legal recognition of gender, enforced sterilization is still practised … Some domestic
courts have found that not only does enforced surgery result in permanent sterility and
irreversible changes to the body, and interfere in family and reproductive life, it also
amounts to a severe and irreversible intrusion into a person’s physical integrity. In 2009,
the former Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe observed that
“[the involuntary sterilization] requirements clearly run counter to the respect for the
physical integrity of the person”. The mandate has noted that “members of sexual
minorities are disproportionately subjected to torture and other forms of ill-treatment
because they fail to conform to socially constructed gender expectations.

19. ARC’s guides on UN Special Procedures
www.arc-international.net

20. Sample Appeal to Special Procedures:

21. Sample Appeal (Continued)

22. What should be included?
The process of submitting information is relatively straightforward and the information that
activists or advocates already have can usually be turned into a submission with relatively
few resources. For the majority of the Special Procedures the following essential information
should be included:
- Information about the authors of the communication and the
sources of information (which is kept confidential). This should include contact details.
- You should state whether the situation is urgent.
- The name of victim(s), age, sex, place of origin and/or residence. If the allegation concerns
a large group then information should be provided about that body.
- Details about the allegation including place and date of violation. This should be
kept relatively short but supporting documents and photos can be annexed to
provide more information. In the case of communications about a law or policy
you should provide details of how it operates and why its impact is concerning.
- The perpetrators, including, if possible, names, titles/functions, as well as any
possible motive.
- Provide any required background such as relevant legal framework etc. This is
particularly important in the case of submissions concerning a general situation.
- Outline actions taken / remedy already sought at national and international level.

23. Generally the identity of the source of information is kept confidential. If you would still prefer
not to have your name or that of you organization on a submission it is possible to have
other NGOs submit on your behalf.
In addition, persons submitting information can indicate if they require additional elements of
their submission to remain confidential and not to be sent to the government concerned.
That said, as the process is based on specific violations and individuals or groups, it can be
hard for the Special Procedures to act on a situation if they are not able to transmit detailed
information to the government concerned.
This means that there is a delicate balance to be struck in sensitive cases between wanting
to provide enough information for the Special Procedures to be able to act without creating a
risk that the provision of such information might lead to further persecution. Furthermore,
although the consent of victims is not a requirement for the submission of information, it is
imperative when making a submission that attention be paid to the possible impact on those
named.
Consequently, NGOs should also indicate in the submission if they have the consent of the
individuals or families concerned.
Confidentiality

24. A Case Study:
Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders,
A/HRC/16/44/Add.1, 28 February 2011: Jamaica
Letter of allegations
1366. On 1 December 2010, the Special Rapporteur sent a letter of allegations to the Government concerning the Jamaica Forum for
Lesbians, All-Sexuals and Gays (J- FLAG), a human rights lobby group which advocates equal rights for lesbian, gay, transgender
and intersex (LGBTI) persons in Jamaica. The organisation was previously the subject of a Joint Allegation Letter sent by the then
Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders and the then Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the
right to freedom of opinion and expression on 6 December 2004. As of today, no response has been received by the part of your
Excellency’s Government.
1367. According to the information received, on 16 November 2010, J-FLAG was refused permission to hold a meeting regarding LGBTI
issues and human rights at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel in Kingston.
1368. It is reported that on 11 November 2010, J-FLAG made a booking with the said hotel to hold a meeting, on 18 November 2010,
with similar organisations and stakeholders with a view to examining LGBTI-related human rights issues in Jamaica. However, on 16
November 2010, the Executive Director of J-FLAG was informed via a telephone call from the hotel’s Director of Sales and Marketing
that due to the nature of the work carried out by J-FLAG, the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel was unwilling to allow the meeting to take place on
its premises. It is alleged that this marks a change in policy on the part of the hotel, which had previously hosted groups including LGBTI
persons.
Response from the Government
1369. In a letter dated 31 January 2010, the Government responded to the communication dated 1 December 2010.
1370. The allegation by J-FLAG of the refusal of the Pegasus Hotel to honour a reservation to hold a meeting was investigated by the
Government. The investigations revealed that the information communicated by J-FLAG to you appears to be factual. The Hotel’s
decision was related to a number of concerns, which included the need to protect both the meeting attendees and the hotel, as a prior
event hosted by a pro-gay group was marred by unsatisfactory behaviour.
1371. Following the incident, a meeting was convened between J-FLAG and the hotel where an amicable agreement was reached on
future arrangements, The parties agreed that a designed member of the hotel staff would address reservation requests from J-FLAG
and on confirmation of such requests, consultations will be done on the tilting and listing of the event on the hotel’s notice board.
Observations
1372. The Special Rapporteur wishes to thank the Government for responding to her communication dated 1 December 2010. The
Special Rapporteur encourages the Government to take the necessary measures to ensure the existence of an environment which is
conducive to the work of all human rights defenders.
Link to full text of the report: http://www2.ohchr.org/english/issues/defenders/docs/A.HRC.16.44.Add.1_EFSonly.pdf

25.  urgent-action@ohchr.org
 www.ohchr.org/SP/HRBodies/Pages/HumanRights
Bodies.aspx
To contact Special Procedures:

26. Group exercise
 Name as many of the Special Procedures Mandates
as you can remember (thematic or country) from
either the UN or ACHPR.
 Name two of the mandates where reports were
cited that discuss SOGI issues.
 Name or describe one of the types of
communications that can be sent to a Special
Procedure.