JST GOF SPECIAL PROCEDURES

Item 5: General debate on human rights bodies and mechanisms

Thursday 25 September 2025, 10:00 – 13:00

I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of several States members of the Group of Friends of Special Procedures and a cross-regional group of countries.

We reiterate our strong support for the Special Procedures, which are a fundamental pillar of the international human rights system and an essential mechanism of the Human Rights Council, providing an independent voice to the human rights debate.

We recognize and completely support the vital role they fulfill in both thematic and country-specific mandates, including through their reporting, monitoring, technical cooperation, and expert advice.

We are deeply concerned about the escalating challenges that the Special Procedures are facing, which jeopardize their integrity, independence, and effectiveness.

The increase in attacks, intimidation, and reprisals against mandate holders and their families engenders significant concern. We condemn these actions, particularly unprecedented sanctions against mandate holders appointed by the Council, which undermine not only the mandate holder concerned, but all special procedures and by extension the UN human rights system as a whole. We join the High Commissioner in calling for the immediate reversal of these measures.

We need to ensure that mandate holders are able to carry out their work effectively by providing them with the necessary conditions to implement their mandates in an impartial, efficient, and independent manner. We reiterate the importance of State´s respect for the independence of the mandate holders and of developing constructive cooperation with them, to advance the effectiveness and credibility of the human rights system.

We also remain concerned about the impact of the UN financial/liquidity crisis on special procedures including the cancellation, postponement or scaling back of mandated activities. This crisis limits thematic research, essential field visits, investigations and follow-up activities, undermining the system’s capacity to address human rights issues. Fully resourced Special procedures can better support the human rights system.

While we appreciate the efforts to enhance the efficiency and functioning of the Human Rights Council, we note that recent reform may reduce the visibility and impact of Special Procedures.

The UN80 process will provide us with an important opportunity to discuss efficiency and effectiveness in a comprehensive manner.

We emphasize the importance of balancing efficiency measures with the need to maintain the independence, effectiveness, and adequate resourcing of Special Procedures.

Mr. President, the cumulative effect of insufficient resources, leading to required time and cost saving measures at the HRC, and escalating attacks on mandate holders poses an unprecedented threat to the Special Procedures.

To guarantee the effective functioning of the UN human rights system in its entirety, we call on all states to provide cooperation and support to the Special Procedures, while also ensuring their independence, safety, and sufficient financial resources.

Thank you.