This document outlines the criteria for a successful outcome of the Special Procedures review:
– The Special Procedures are at the core of the UN’s human rights machinery.They are among the most innovative, responsive and flexible tools of the human rights machinery, and they play a critical and often unique role in protecting and promoting human rights. Without independent and objective experts who are able to monitor and respond rapidly to allegations of violations occurring anywhere in the world, the ability of the UN - in particular the Human Rights Council - to respond to violations will be severely compromised;
– The Special Procedures were created to provide independent, objective, expert advice. Any failure to preserve the independence, objectivity or expertise of the Special Procedures would call into question the review, the Council and the UN as a whole;
– It is not enough to merely preserve the existing system of Special Procedures,
the system must be strengthened and improved;
– The review must lead to a comprehensive and coherent system of Special
Procedures;