SELECTION AND APPOINTMENT OF A NEW MANDATE HOLDER ON THE PROMOTION AND PROTECTION OF THE RIGHT TO FREEDOM OF OPINION AND EXPRESSION

Summary

In June 2020, the President of the UN Human Rights Council (the Council) will appoint a new Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression.

This document is part of a series of criteria developed for vacant positions of Special Procedures mandate holders. Its intention is to support all stakeholders in the identification of and outreach to highly qualified and independent candidates for vacant positions. States may also use the document to strengthen national consultations processes for the identification of suitable candidates. It is also intended as a checklist that can be used by the Council’s Consultative Group and the President of the Human Rights Council to ensure that only highly qualified and independent candidates are considered and appointed.

ARTICLE 19, Amnesty International, Access Now, Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development, DefendDefenders (East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project), Free Press Unlimited, IFEX, International Center for Not-for-Profit Law, International Service for Human Rights and World Movement for Democracy have developed the criteria jointly.

The signatory organisations call on governments, NGOs and others, including relevant professional networks, to use this checklist to identify eligible candidates for the upcoming vacancy for the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression.

We urge governments to consult civil society and to disseminate the vacancy widely, e.g. through media advertisement, so as to encourage candidates to apply for this vacancy.

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