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The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders (FIDH-OMCT), together with the undersigned organisations, inform about the call for applications for the position of UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, and have put together a specific checklist with criteria for the selection of the next mandate holder, based on HRC Resolution 6/102. This document aims to encourage highly qualified candidates to apply and will also serve as guidance for all stakeholders involved in the appointment process.

In March 2026, the UN Human Rights Council (the Council) will appoint the next Special Rapporteur on the situation of Human Rights Defenders..

This Special Rapporteur will be expected to serve two terms of three years each, starting in 2026.

Candidates must have the required expertise and experience in the field of the mandate, must be independent and impartial and show a high level of personal integrity and objectivity.

This document was prepared by civil society organisations to support all stakeholders in the dissemination of the upcoming vacancy with a view to encouraging a broad pool of applications from highly qualified and independent candidates for the mandate of Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders.

States may use the document to disseminate and encourage the identification of suitable candidates at the national level. It is also intended as a checklist that can be used by the Council’s Consultative Group, Regional Coordinators and the President of the Human Rights Council to ensure that only highly qualified and independent candidates are considered and appointed.

Prospective mandate holders should be aware that this is a voluntary, unpaid role. Mandate holders do not receive a salary or other financial compensation from the UN but receive travel expenses and substantive and technical support from the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). This role requires a substantial time commitment from the individual, including readiness to travel and respond to urgent situations.

The appointment of diverse, independent, impartial, competent and expert persons from all regions of the world as mandate holders is essential to ensuring a well-functioning system of Special Procedures, which, in turn, is of crucial importance to the functioning of the Human Rights Council.

The call for application has been published and is open until 28 August 2025. More information can be found here.

International Service for Human Rights (ISHR)

Southern Initiatives (SI), Myanmar

Dawei Probono Lawyer Network (DPLN), Myanmar

Fundación Red por la infancia, Argentina

Law and Democracy Support Foundation (LDSF)

Mesoamerican Initiative of Women Human Rights Defenders (IM-Defensoras)

Intersex Society of Zambia (ISSZ)

Refugees in Libya (RIL)

Inclusive Bangladesh

Project on Organizing, Development, Education, and Research (PODER)

AWAFY Sudanese Organization

Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR)

Green Development Advocates (GDA)

Action for Conservation and Environmental Sustainability (ACES)

International Financial Institutions Monitoring Group (IFI Monitoring)

Human Rights Reporters Ghana (HRRG)

Regional Coalition of WHRDs in Southwest Asia and North Africa (WHRD MENA)

Women Human Rights Defenders International Coalition (WHRDIC)

Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS)

CIVICUS

Peace Brigades International

RAWSA - Regional Advocacy for Women’s Sustainable Advancement

Uyghur Human Rights Project

Lawyers’ Rights Watch Canada

International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), within the framework of the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders

World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), within the framework of the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders

Centro de Asistencia Legal a Pueblos Indígenas (CALPI)

The Lesbian and Gay Association of Liberia (Liberia-Liberia)

Hivos

Oyu Tolgoi Watch

Rivers without Boundaries Mongolia

Foundation for Public Interest Law and Development (Nigeria)

Equality Bahamas (The Bahamas)

Advocacy for Human Rights and Justice-Sierra Leone

Oil Refinery Residents Association (ORRA)

MENA Rights Group

International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims (IRCT)

Plataforma Nacional Juvenil Nicaragua (PNJ)

Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF)

American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)

International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA World)

Mouvement contre le racisme et pour l’amitié entre les peuples (MRAP)

American Association of Jurists (AAJ)

Amnesty International

Front Line Defenders

Vuka! Coalition for Civic Space

For 27 years this partnership between the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) has supported and protected human rights defenders worldwide, so they can protect human rights for all of us.