CEPRI researcher attends Annual Meeting of UN Special Procedures mandate holders in Geneva
Dr Sorcha MacLeod, CEPRI Associate Professor and a member of the UN Working Group on the use of mercenaries recently attended the 29th Annual Meeting of Special Rapporteurs, Independent Experts and Chairs of Working Groups at the Palais Wilson, Geneva (HQ of the OHCHR). The Annual Meeting marked the completion of her term as an elected member of the Coordination Committee of the Special Procedures 2022-23, and the focal point on intimidation and reprisals against those who cooperate with the UN.
The Annual Meeting brings together Special Procedures mandate holders to discuss issues of common interest, coordinate their work and meet with a range of stakeholders, including States, civil society organizations, the High Commissioner for Human Rights, and the President of the Human Rights Council. The meeting focused on strategic and substantive issues with particular focus on 2023 being an important commemoration year celebrating the 75thanniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the 30th anniversary of the Vienna Declaration and programme of Action. Mandate holders discussed the impact of the SP system and ideas for its future, including their contribution to the Human Rights 75 initiative and the Summit of the Future in 2024. The meeting also adopted a Joint Declaration for presentation at the SDG Summit in September 2023.