CSW congratulates newly appointed UN experts

Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) congratulates the newly appointed United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) Special Procedures mandate holders.

Special Rapporteurs are appointed by the HRC either to investigate, report and advise on thematic human rights issues, or on country- specific human rights concerns.

The five new mandate holders, whose appointments will be confirmed at the 32nd Session of the HRC this month, include the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) and the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Democratic Republic of North Korea (DPRK).

Dr Ahmed Shaheed, who is currently the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran, will take on the role of Special Rapporteur on FoRB once his successor has been chosen.

CSW’s East Asia Team Leader Benedict Rogers said, “CSW is deeply grateful for the outstanding work by Dr Heiner Bielefeldt as the outgoing Special Rapporteur for FoRB. He leaves an invaluable body of research and excellent track record of raising concerns about FoRB worldwide. We congratulate and welcome Dr Shaheed into this role. He has been forensic in his examination of the human rights situation in Iran, consistently highlighting the grave violations underway in the country, including violations of the right to FORB. We look forward to collaborating with him closely in future.”

Mr Tomas Ojea Quintana, formerly the Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Myanmar (Burma), will be the new Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the DPRK.

Benedict Rogers added, “We also thank Marzuki Darusman, the outgoing Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the DPRK, for his excellent work and tireless commitment to the Commission of Inquiry on human rights in North Korea.

“The research of the Special Rapporteurs ensures that these human rights issues remain on the international community’s agenda. It is an invaluable tool for human rights advocates as we campaign for the innate dignity of every human being to be protected worldwide.”