Report of the Consultative Group to the President of the Human Rights Council relating to the vacancies of special procedures mandate holders 
to be appointed at the twenty-fifth session of the Human Rights Council
Part III
Vacancies for twelve individual thematic and country mandates

Background

In its resolution 5/1, the Human Rights Council decided to establish a Consultative Group in order to propose to the President a list of candidates who possess the highest qualifications for the mandates in question and meet the general criteria and particular requirements. The list was to be provided at least one month before the beginning of the session in which the Council would consider the selection of mandate holders. 

Serving in their personal capacity, the members of the Consultative Group for 2014 are: H.E. Mr. Luis Enrique Chávez Basagoitia, Permanent Representative of Peru; H.E. Ms. Elissa Golberg (Chairperson), Permanent Representative of Canada; H.E. Mr. Omar Hilale, Permanent Representative of Morocco; H.E. Mr. Rytis Paulauskas (Vice-Chairperson), Permanent Representative of Lithuania; and H.E. Mr. Yoo Yeonchul, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Republic of Korea. 

Process

The Consultative Group held 15 formal meetings on 16-17, 27-31 January and 4-5 February 2014 to consider candidates for the twelve vacancies as follows:
Independent Expert on the effects of foreign debt and other related international financial obligations of States on the full enjoyment of all human rights, particularly economic, social and cultural rights
Independent Expert on the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons
Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Somalia
Special Rapporteur on adequate housing as a component of the right to an adequate standard of living, and on the right to non-discrimination in this context
Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery, including its causes and its consequences
Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights
Special Rapporteur on the right to food
Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples
Special Rapporteur on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography
Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar
Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967
Based on a decision of the Consultative Group, H.E. Ms. Elissa Golberg chaired all the meetings held by the Consultative Group.

The Consultative Group considered the individual applications of 186 candidates for the aforementioned specific vacancies in accordance with the relevant paragraphs of Human Rights Council resolution 16/21. The applications were made public on the designated OHCHR web page of Special Procedures as provided for in paragraph 22 (b) of annex to Council resolution 16/21 (see annex I).

The members of the Consultative Group took into consideration the technical and objective requirements as stipulated in paragraphs 39-41, 44-46, 48, 50-51 of the annex to Council resolution 5/1, Council decision 6/102, and paragraph 22 of Council resolution 16/21. The Consultative Group also accounted for the perspectives offered by current or outgoing mandate holders in determining the necessary expertise, experience, skills and other relevant requirements for each mandate and paid due attention to geographical and gender balance considerations in their deliberations. Similarly, written contributions from non-governmental organizations were also brought to the attention of the Consultative Group.

In accordance with paragraphs 44 and 46 of the annex to Human Rights Council resolution 5/1, the Consultative Group sought to consistently address the potential for conflict of interest and were vigilant on the principle of non-accumulation of human rights functions. These issues were clarified during interviews and pursued subsequently in writing, when necessary, to ensure, inter alia, that if appointed by the Council, the candidates would relinquish any functions or duties that may give rise to an accumulation of human rights functions and/or any potential conflict of interest.

In accordance with established practice, it was decided that each member of the Consultative Group would propose a list of candidates for each vacancy drawing on the applications received, reflecting on their qualifications, relevant experience, expertise, independence, impartiality, personal integrity, objectivity, availability and motivation in compliance with relevant provisions of Human Rights Council resolution 5/1, decision 6/102, resolution 16/21 and relevant Council resolutions establishing the specific mandates under consideration. Each list was subsequently compared and jointly assessed. As a result of this exercise, a shortlist of candidates to be interviewed was established for these mandates. All the candidates selected for shortlisting demonstrated their qualifications and experience in their written applications.

The Group interviewed by telephone a total of 50 shortlisted candidates for the twelve aforementioned vacancies on 16-17, 27-31 January and 4 February 2014, pursuant to paragraph 22 (c) of the annex to Human Rights Council resolution 16/21 (see annex II). Each candidate was asked similar questions based on the relevant provisions of Council resolution 5/1, decision 6/102, resolution 16/21 and relevant Council resolutions establishing the specific mandates under consideration. 

Candidates proposed by the Consultative Group to the President for the Independent Expert on the effects of foreign debt and other related international financial obligations of States on the full enjoyment of all human rights, particularly economic, social and cultural rights

The Consultative Group interviewed four shortlisted candidates and decided to recommend the following three individuals as qualified to fulfil the mandate, ranking them in the order of preference. It should be noted that Mr. Philip Alston (Australia) was interviewed for the position and was ranked first, but as the Consultative Group have proposed that he be appointed Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights, his name has not been included in the list below. 

Mr. Juan BOHOSLAVSKY (Argentina)
Mr. Ilias BANTEKAS (Greece)
Ms. Maria del Rocio BARAHONA-RIERA (Costa Rica)

Mr. Bohoslavsky, a lawyer by training, is currently working as a sovereign debt expert for UNCTAD and has devoted an important part of his professional career to date on questions pertaining to the impact of sovereign debt and financial crises on the enjoyment of human rights. He has previously been a professor of law, a legal consultant for the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, and a partner in an Argentinian law firm that specialized in class action litigation. He has published books and articles on global economics, finance and human rights. 
Mr. Bantekas is a professor of international law at Brunel University. He has worked as a consultant on issues related to international law and human rights for several international organisations, international law firms and non-governmental organizations. He has also assisted non-governmental organizations and other entities to submit amicus briefs and legal opinions and has published several books and articles in prestigious journals on international human rights law.
Ms. Barahona-Riera is a professor of international law and international human rights law currently working as a consultant for national, international organisations and non-governmental organizations agencies. She served as a member of the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (2000-2012), and has experience working within the wider United Nations system.


Candidates proposed by the Consultative Group to the President for the Independent Expert on the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons

The Consultative Group interviewed four shortlisted candidates for this vacancy and decided to recommend the following three individuals as best qualified to fulfil the mandate, ranking them in the order of preference: 

Ms. Rosa KORNFELD-MATTE (Chile)
Mr. Israel DORON (Israel)
Mr. John WILLIAMS (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland)

The Consultative Group was mindful that this was a newly established mandate by the Council, its practical orientation, and the need to avoid duplication with other United Nations entities, including the Open-ended Working Group on Ageing. In this regard, the Consultative Group perceived a close degree of proximity between the rankings of Ms. Kornfeld-Matte and Mr. Doron, and that all three shortlisted candidates demonstrated a strong commitment to advancing the older persons agenda at the global level.   

Ms. Kornfeld-Matte is currently National Director of the Chilean National Service of Aging (due to retire in March 2014) and was the founding director of the Older People Programme at Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile). She has experience in drafting legal instruments on the rights of older persons and participated in the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing, the United Nations Open-ended Working Group on Ageing and regional conferences on the issue. She is involved in a number of relevant non-governmental organisations and was a former member of the National Consultant Committee of Older Peoples (2004-2010) in Chile. The Consultative Group felt Ms. Kornfeld-Matte’s emphasis on multi-stakeholder engagement, cross-regional analysis of the challenges facing older persons in the  sphere of economic, social and cultural rights, notably older women and persons with disability, and her focus on sharing good practice would be valuable in grounding the new mandate. They were conscious of the priority countries in the Latin American region had placed on the mandate’s creation.

Mr. Doron is Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Gerontology at the University of Haifa. He has been actively engaged at the international level on issues pertaining to older persons, having participated inter alia as a member of the United Nations expert group meeting on the human rights of older persons, and the Open-ended Working Group on Ageing. He was appointed advisor to the International Federation on Ageing, and International Commissioner at the American Bar Association Commission on Law and Aging. He has established a non-governmental organisation the Law in the Service of the Elderly and has published books and articles in this area. The Consultative Group was impressed by Mr. Doron’s passion for advancing the rights and well-being of older persons, and his emphasis on the importance of providing an evidence-base to address the diversity of issues older persons face in order to foster appropriate tools for governments and society. 



Mr. Williams is a law professor at Aberystwyth University in Wales and has worked in the area of the human rights of older people since 1990. He participated in the expert group advising the United Nations Open-ended Working Group on Ageing. He is an adviser to the Older People’s Commissioner for Wales, including on the drafting of a Welsh declaration of rights of older people, and was the expert legal advisor to the Welsh Assembly in its consideration of the Social Services and Well-being Bill 2013. He has campaigned for greater respect for older people and their rights and became involved with a number of charities and non-governmental organisations.

Candidates proposed by the Consultative Group to the President for the Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Somalia

The Consultative Group interviewed three shortlisted candidates and decided to recommend the following individuals as best qualified to fulfil the mandate, ranking them in the order of preference. 

Mr. Bahame NYANDUGA (United Republic of Tanzania)
Ms. Bronwyn BRUTON (United States of America)
Ms. Sima SAMAR (Afghanistan)

In approaching the interviews, the Consultative Group was mindful of the letter sent by the African Group to the President of the Human Rights Council, and the emphasis placed on having a candidate with pre-existing knowledge of the unique and complex circumstances in Somalia and expertise to assist inter alia in the finalization of Somalia’s report for the second cycle of the universal periodic review report and the fostering of institutions and local capacity to respect, protect and promote human rights.

Mr. Nyanduga has practiced law in Tanzania for over 20 years. He has served as Acting Chairperson of the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights and as Special Rapporteur on Refugees, Asylum Seekers and Internally Displaced Persons and Migrants in Africa (2003-2009), where he gained direct exposure to the situation in Somalia and the human rights challenges facing its people. In 2009, he participated as a consultant to the drafting of the African Union Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons in Africa (Kampala Convention). His previous experience includes work as a Legal Advisor at the Tanzania High Commission in London, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Justice in Tanzania. The Consultative Group viewed Mr. Nyanduga’s experience in fostering of domestic policy and legislation on human rights, his extensive knowledge of the African Union human rights system, and awareness of the evolving context in Somalia as particular assets for the mandate.

Ms. Bruton is the Deputy Director of the Africa Center at the Atlantic Council, a think tank providing advice to policy-makers on security, geopolitical and economic issues in Africa. She has worked extensively on post-conflict, human rights and stabilisation issues in Eastern and Southern Africa including with the Council on Foreign Relations and the United States Agency for International Development. Ms. Bruton has travelled to Somalia since 2006 and has established relationships with relevant stakeholders including Somali officials, the African Union Mission in Somalia and civil society actors. The Consultative Group was impressed by Ms. Bruton’s political analysis of the current challenges facing federal authorities in Somalia, and her emphasis on the need to engage sub-national actors on human rights protection. 

Ms. Samar is a physician by training, currently the Chairperson of the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission, and is a long-time advocate of the promotion and protection of human rights. She founded and worked as Executive Director of the Shuhada Organization, a civil society organisation providing health care services for Afghan women and girls, served as Deputy Chair and Minister of Women’s Affairs in the Interim Administration of Afghanistan (2001) and was Vice-Chair of the Loya Jirga Assembly. Ms. Samar was the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Sudan (2005-2009). 

Candidates proposed by the Consultative Group to the President for Special Rapporteur on adequate housing as a component of the right to an adequate standard of living, and on the right to non-discrimination in this context

The Consultative Group was impressed by the calibre of applicants for the mandate. Five shortlisted candidates were interviewed and while each of them performed well during the interview, the Consultative Group recommend the following three individuals as best qualified to fulfil the mandate, ranking them in the order of preference. 

Mr. Fernando MURILLO (Argentina)
Ms. Leilani FARHA (Canada)
Mr. Balakrishnan RAJAGOPAL (United States of America)

Mr. Murillo is an architect, urban planner and academic with more than 15 years of experience working as a consultant on housing issues and urban planning for Governments, local communities and various United Nations agencies including UN-HABITAT, UNHCR, UNDP, UNRWA and UNICEF. Through his varied experience in Latin America, Africa and the Middle East, he has worked on several topics related to the work of the mandate including habitat development in post-conflict situations, quality of housing, informal settlements and eviction issues. The Consultative Group believes that Mr. Murillo’s operational and policy experience, and his emphasis during the interview on sharing of good practices across regions, and on encouraging participatory approaches to planning and local level rights make him well suited for the Special Rapporteur role.  

Ms. Farha is a lawyer and currently Executive Director of Canada Without Poverty, a civil society organisation dedicated to the elimination of poverty and to the protection of economic and social rights. Her previous work experience includes working with non-governmental organisations focused on housing rights, United Nations agencies, including UN-HABITAT and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. She has worked extensively on the issues of poverty, social marginalisation, and gender equality. The Consultative Group was impressed by Ms. Farha’s passion for ensuring the progressive realization of the right to adequate housing and her pragmatic approach, including an emphasis on operational implementation of existing standards, multi-stakeholder engagement and inclusivity in policy design. 

Mr. Rajagopal is Associate Professor of Law and Development at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the Director of the MIT Program on Human Rights and Justice. He has taught and written extensively on international law, human rights, and development issues. He has field experience in Cambodia with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the United Nations Transitional Authority. The Consultative Group took note of Mr. Rajagopal’s thoughtful vision for the mandate, including his emphasis on leveraging United Nations capacity locally to advance Special Rapporteur recommendations, the importance of engaging private developers in planning and policy dialogue, and the advantage of fostering links with other mechanisms such as special rapporteurs on extreme poverty, food and indigenous peoples, the universal periodic reviews and treaty bodies. 

Candidates proposed by the Consultative Group to the President for the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery, including its causes and its consequences

The Consultative Group was impressed by the significant interest in the mandate, and quality of applications received. The Group interviewed five shortlisted candidates and decided to unanimously recommend the following three individuals as best qualified to fulfil the functions, ranking them in the order of preference, while noting the close proximity between the first two candidates.  

Ms. Urmila BHOOLA (South Africa)
Mr. Jean ALLAIN (Canada)
Mr. Francisco CARRIÓN-MENA (Ecuador)

Ms. Bhoola is a human rights and labour lawyer and currently Executive Director of the non-governmental organization International Women’s Rights Action Watch Asia Pacific. She was a Judge of the Labour Court in South Africa (2008-2012), and has been technical advisor to the International Labour Organization in relation to South Africa, Nepal, Fiji and the Pacific Islands, worked on projects with UN Women, and engaged in advocacy and reporting on behalf of women’s human rights organizations to the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women. In view of the pressing challenges that have emerged over the last few years in the field of contemporary forms of slavery, including slavery disguised as legal employment contracts, the Consultative Group felt that Ms. Bhoola’s operational, legislative and policy experience was especially relevant and would be an asset as a mandate holder.

Mr. Allain is Professor of Public International Law and directs the Human Rights Centre at Queen’s University, Belfast. He has spent more than a decade researching contemporary forms of slavery and has published widely on this subject. He has previously taught public international law at the University of Pretoria, been Law Clerk to the President of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, and served as a Fellow of the Organization of American States at the Inter-American Court of Human Rights. He has also carried out consultancy work for the International Labour Organization, Anti-Slavery International and OHCHR. The Consultative Group took note of Mr. Allain’s extensive interest in the legal implications of contemporary forms of slavery, and  found his emphasis on engaging with the private sector, and attention to the particular challenges faced by women and migrants as being especially constructive in advancing the goals of the mandate. 

Mr. Carrión-Mena is Professor of International Relations at the Latin American Faculty of Social Sciences in Ecuador (FLACSO Ecuador). He is presently Vice-Chairperson of the Committee on Migrant Workers (2011-2015), having previously served as Member (2004-2007). Previous positions held by Mr. Carrión-Mena include Permanent Representative of Ecuador to the United Nations in New York, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ecuador and Ecuador’s Ambassador to Spain. He provides consultancy services on migration issues to the Government of Ecuador and the International Organization on Migration. Drawing on his experience on migrant rights, the Consultative Group took note of the candidate’s emphasis on the need for the mandate to focus on child labour and sexual slavery.

Candidates proposed by the Consultative Group to the President for Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights

The Consultative Group interviewed four shortlisted candidates and decided to recommend the following three individuals in the order of preference below, unanimously recommending the first candidate who demonstrated his qualifications convincingly during the interview process.

Mr. Philip ALSTON (Australia)
Mr. Donald RUKARE (Uganda)
Ms. Diane ROMAN (France)

Mr. Alston is a Professor of International Law at New York University School of Law. He has a broad experience working within the United Nations system and an excellent knowledge of the Human Rights Council and its special procedures acquired inter alia as Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions (2004-2010) and as Chairperson of the Coordination Committee of Special Procedures (2005-2006). As a former Rapporteur and Chairperson of the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and former member of the Millennium Project Task Force 1 on Poverty and Economic Development, he has worked extensively on economic, social and cultural rights issues. The Consultative Group found Mr. Alston’s vision for the mandate compelling, notably his desire to see it focused on a targeted set of clear priorities, the relationship with the post-2015 development agenda, and the need to foster relationships with others working on similar issues and to feed into universal periodic review and World Bank deliberations. The Group felt Mr. Alston would bring a rigour and profile to the mandate.

Mr. Rukare is a professor of international law and has been working since 2010 as the Country Director of the Uganda office of Global Rights, a civil society organisation involved in the promotion and protection of human rights. He has practical experience as a development practitioner, having taught and worked as a consultant for some ten years with various international organisations and development aid agencies on issues related to human rights, access to justice, good governance and development. The Consultative Group took careful note of Mr. Rukare’s emphasis on inclusivity, and practical emphasis on demonstrating how a human rights-based approach could positively impact on poverty alleviation efforts.  

Ms. Roman is a professor of international law and a researcher at the Institut Universitaire de France (University Institute of France). She has published various articles and books on the linkages between extreme poverty and human rights. She is working as a social cohesion expert for the Council of Europe, leading research projects on poverty and human rights and social policies. 

Candidates proposed by the Consultative Group to the President for the Special Rapporteur on the right to food

The Consultative Group interviewed three shortlisted candidates for this vacancy and decided to recommend the following three individuals as best qualified to fulfil the mandate, ranking them in the order of preference, giving a particularly high rating to the first two candidates.  

Ms. Hilal ELVER (Turkey)
Ms. Smita NARULA (United States of America)
Ms. Sofía MONSALVE SUÁREZ (Germany)

Ms. Elver is a Research Professor and Co-director of the Climate Change, Human Security and Democracy Project at the University of California Santa Barbara. She previously taught international human rights, environmental and international law as UNEP Chair on Environmental Diplomacy at the Mediterranean Academy of Diplomatic Studies in Malta, at the University of Ankara and several universities in the United States of America. She has served as legal advisor to the Turkish Ministry of Environment, as an advisor on women’s rights to the Office of the Prime Minister, and has published on women’s economic and social rights, right to access clean water and right to food. The Consultative Group took note of Ms. Elver’s emphasis on gender-sensitive sustainable development and her attentiveness to the need for the Special Rapporteur to account for unique and divergent country contexts in making recommendations and engaging with multiple stakeholders.  

Ms. Narula is Professor and Director of the International Human Rights Clinic and Faculty Director of the Center for Human Rights and Global Justice at New York University School of Law. She has made research contributions to various United Nations mechanisms, particularly in the field of economic and social rights, business and human rights, non-discrimination, and national security and human rights. Previously, Ms. Narula spent six years at Human Rights Watch as the organization’s lead India researcher and senior researcher for South Asia. The Consultative Group appreciated Ms. Narula’s clarity of purpose for the mandate, including the need to build alliances, focus on vulnerable countries and communities, and increase education around food safety and nutrition, and enhance community resilience to food crises.  

Ms. Monsalve Suárez is a human rights activist and practitioner currently working as Coordinator of the programme on access to land and natural resources at the non-governmental organization FoodFirst Information Action Network (FIAN) International. She has collaborated with the United Nations human rights mechanisms, and agencies, funds and programs. She coordinated civil society participation in the Voluntary Guidelines on Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land, Fisheries and Forests, and has conducted fact-finding missions to various counties in Africa, Asia and Latin America on food security.

Candidates proposed by the Consultative Group to the President for the Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples

The Consultative Group interviewed four shortlisted candidates for this vacancy and unanimously decided to recommend the following three individuals as best qualified to fulfil the mandate, ranking them in the order of preference.

Ms. Victoria Lucia TAULI-CORPUZ (Philippines)
Mr. Jon Mattias ÅHRÉN (Sweden)
Ms. Dalee SAMBO DOROUGH (United States of America)

Ms. Tauli-Corpuz is an indigenous activist and Founder and Executive Director of Tebtebba Foundation (Indigenous Peoples' International Centre for Policy Research and Education). She has extensive experience working with Governments, civil society actors and in multilateral bodies, including participating in the drafting of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. She has lectured and provided training on international human rights law, indigenous peoples’ rights, women’s rights and climate change, and convened various global and regional networks on these subjects. She served as the Chair of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (2005-2010) and chair of the Board of Trustees for the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Populations (1995-2005). The Consultative Group considered that Ms. Tauli-Corpuz’s active involvement with United Nations and multi-stakeholder cross-regional bodies on indigenous issues, her past collaboration with and commitment to constructive engagement among governments and indigenous peoples, and her vision for the mandate including a desire to extend the current Special Rapporteur’s work on sustainable and inclusive economic development would deliver particular benefits for the mandate. The Consultative Group were also mindful of the value a gender perspective would bring.

Mr. Åhrén is Associate Professor at the Arctic University of Norway. Since 2000 he has headed the Human Rights Unit of the Saami Council, a non-governmental organization promoting the rights and interests of indigenous peoples generally and the Saami people in particular. He has engaged in advocacy work at the United Nations related to the rights of indigenous peoples, including the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and United Nations treaty bodies. He was visiting researcher at the Indigenous Peoples Law & Policy Program of the University of Arizona and has published extensively on indigenous peoples’ rights. Building on the work of the current mandate holder, the Consultative Group appreciated Mr. Åhrén’s emphasis on the value of providing technical capacity support, encouraging common ground between governments and indigenous peoples, and took note of his proposals that the mandate address issues such as indigenous knowledge, indigenous women, and indigenous persons with disabilities.

Ms. Sambo Dorough is Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of Alaska Anchorage and has been engaged on indigenous people’s rights for more than 35 years at all levels. She has actively contributed to standard-setting processes in diverse fora at the international level including currently serving as Expert and Vice-Chairperson of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, Member of the Board of Trustees for the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Populations and Human Rights Advisor for the Inuit Circumpolar Council. The Consultative Group took note of Ms. Sambo-Dorough’s clear commitment to engagement at the international level, her emphasis on the value of confidence building measures, and the need for the mandate to address emerging areas such as accelerated resource development and the Arctic. 

Candidates proposed by the Consultative Group to the President for the Special Rapporteur on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography

The Consultative Group interviewed four shortlisted candidates. The Group noted that all candidates performed particularly well during the interview, and appreciated their shared commitment and engagement in favour of children’s rights. The Group decided to recommend the following three individuals as best qualified to fulfil the mandate, ranking them in the order of preference. It should be noted that Ms. Yanghee Lee (Republic of Korea) was among those interviewed for the position and was ranked first, but as the Consultative Group have proposed that she be appointed Special Rapporteur on Myanmar, her name has not been included in the list below.

Ms. Maud DE BOER-BUQUICCHIO (Netherlands)
Mr. Nicolás ESPEJO YAKSIC (Chile)
Ms. Inga Marte THORKILDSEN (Norway)

Ms. de Boer-Buquicchio is President of Missing Children Europe, a coalition of non-governmental organizations working on the issue of missing and sexually exploited children. She served as Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe for 10 years (2002-2012) and is a member of the Executive and Management Board of the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights. Her professional experience in the field of human rights also includes working for the former European Commission of Human Rights and for the European Court of Human Rights. The Consultative Group considered that her extensive and senior level experience in the field of human rights including in drafting policies and legislation in relation to child exploitation, her ability to work constructively with multiple stakeholders and her familiarity with the multilateral system were highly relevant for this mandate.

Mr. Espejo Yaksic is a professor of international human rights law and a Senior Consultant on children’s rights for UNICEF Chile. As an academic, he has been involved in the direction and development of several research projects focusing on human rights issues, including children’s rights and child sexual exploitation, and has worked closely with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. The Consultative Group welcomed Mr. Espejo-Yaksic’s emphasis on the need for enhanced follow-up on child exploitation across the United Nations system, including treaty-bodies, and the importance of documenting best practices and creating cross-regional alliances. 

Ms. Thorkildsen is a former Norwegian Member of Parliament (2001-2013) and former Minister for Children, Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (2012-2013). A long-time advocate of children’s rights, she has supported various national initiatives aimed at combatting violence against women and children and improving their protection, including the establishment of a parliamentary network for children’s rights. The Consultative Group appreciated Ms. Thorkildsen’s enthusiasm and took note of her suggestions that the mandate should make better linkages with the universal periodic review, devote more attention to root causes, and increase outreach with and engagement of children (consistent with article 12 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child).

Candidates proposed by the Consultative Group to the President for the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders

The Consultative Group was impressed by the significant interest in the position, with more than 40 eligible applicants. The Group interviewed four shortlisted candidates for this vacancy and decided to recommend the following three individuals as best qualified to fulfil the role, ranking them in the order of preference. While the Consultative Group unanimously recommend the first candidate who demonstrated his qualifications and experience convincingly through the interview, the Group nevertheless wish to note the high quality of all applicants and acknowledge with appreciation their life-long commitment to the defence and promotion of human rights and work as human rights defenders.

Mr. Michel FORST (France)
Ms. Souhayr BELHASSEN (Tunisia)
Mr. Roberto GARRETÓN (Chile) 

Mr. Forst is an attorney by training and currently Secretary-General of the Commission nationale consultative des droits de l’Homme (National Consultative Commission on Human Rights of France). He has worked on a diversity of human rights issues for more than 20 years at various levels, with extensive multi-stakeholder experience. Mr. Forst is a founding trustee of Front Line Defenders (International Foundation for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders), was Secretary-General of the 1998 Summit on Human Rights Defenders and was previously Director-General of Amnesty International (France). He served as the Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Haiti (2008-2013) and held the posts of Chairperson as well as Rapporteur of the Coordination Committee of Special Procedures. The Consultative Group felt that in view of Mr. Forst’s proven experience as a human rights defender at the national and international level, and notably his knowledge of the United Nations human rights system and ability to engage governments on sensitive matters, he would be especially well placed to take up this mandate at a complex time when the profile has significantly increased and there is a need to ensure an effective interaction with other relevant mandates and entities in the international system.  

Ms. Belhassen is a human rights defender with more than 30 years’ experience in human rights advocacy and action at the national and international levels, including with the Ligue Tunisienne des Droits de l'Homme (Tunisian League for Human Rights) and the International Federation for Human Rights of which she served as its President from 2007-2013 (and remains honorary President). Ms. Belhassen has carried out fact-finding and monitoring missions and has worked with victims of human rights violations and human rights defenders around the world. 

Mr. Garretón is a lawyer and currently a member of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (2008-2014), building on his past mandate as the founding member of the Group (1991-2000). He is also a member of the National Institute of Human Rights, Chile’s national human rights institution. He has 40 years of national, regional and international experience including as the Representative of the High Commissioner for Human Rights for Latin America and the Caribbean (2001-2005) and the Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights on the situation of human rights in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (former Zaire, 1994-2001). He served as Chile’s Ambassador to the human rights organs of the United Nations and the Organization of American States (1990-1994) and as a human rights defender during General Pinochet’s dictatorship (1973-1990). 

Candidates proposed by the Consultative Group to the President for the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar

The Consultative Group interviewed five shortlisted candidates for this vacancy and decided to recommend the following three individuals as best qualified to fulfil the mandate, ranking them in the order of preference, giving a high rating to the first two candidates.

Ms. Yanghee LEE (Republic of Korea)
Mr. Jared GENSER (United States of America)
Mr. Kimmo KILJUNEN (Finland) 

Ms. Lee is a Professor in the Department of Child Psychology and Education at Sungkyunkwan University and currently serves on the Advisory Committee of the National Human Rights Commission of the Republic of Korea. She has an extensive experience working on human rights issues at the national, regional and international level notably on children’s rights issues. Ms. Lee has gained an excellent understanding of the United Nations human rights system, including as a member (2003-2013) and Chairperson (2007-2011) of the Committee on the Rights of the Child (where she was involved in the CRC reporting cycles of Myanmar serving as rapporteur). She actively participates in human rights mechanisms in the context of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The Consultative Group felt that Ms. Lee’s unique background and her direct experience of a national transition from military-based rule to the establishment of a strong and prosperous democracy would be of particular value to the mandate. In her interview, Ms. Lee demonstrated an important understanding of the current dynamics and challenges in Myanmar, and offered a comprehensive vision for how the mandate could proceed. 

Mr. Genser is an international lawyer and Managing Director of Perseus Strategies, a law firm concentrating on international human rights. He is also President of Freedom Now, a non-profit organization that works to free prisoners of conscience worldwide. He has developed extensive practical experience with the United Nations human rights system, inter alia having submitted petitions to the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention and through his engagement with special procedures including on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. Mr. Genser has worked on issues related to Myanmar for more than a dozen years, including pro bono projects to advance the rule of law in the country and serving as legal counsel to Aung San Suu Kyi. During the interview and in his written application, Mr. Genser demonstrated an important appreciation for the challenges facing Myanmar and the Consultative Group appreciated his clear vision for the mandate going forward including an emphasis on enhancing the justice system, addressing constitutional anomalies, responding to ethnic and minority tensions, promoting women’s human rights and addressing economic, social and cultural rights in a context of potential rapid growth.

Mr. Kiljunen currently works as the Special Representative for Mediation of the Foreign Minister of Finland, focusing on the peace process in Myanmar. Previously, he served as a Member of the Finnish Parliament for 16 years, and has been strongly involved in international parliamentary cooperation including in the context of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly. He has headed eight OSCE election observation missions in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Mr. Kiljunen was member of the Commissioner of Inquiry on Kyrgyzstan (2010-2011) and Secretary-General of the Kampuchea Inquiry Commission (1980-1982). He has extensive experience in conflict management and global reconciliation activities.
 
Candidates proposed by the Consultative Group to the President for the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967

The Consultative Group interviewed five shortlisted candidates for this vacancy and decided to recommend the following three individuals as qualified to fulfil the mandate, ranking them in the order of preference, with unanimous support for the first candidate.  

Ms. Christina CERNA (United States of America)
Ms. Christine Mary CHINKIN (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland)
Mr. John CERONE (United States of America)
Ms. Cerna currently teaches international human rights law at Georgetown University Law Centre in Washington, D.C., and serves as Chair of the International Human Rights Law Committee of the International Law Association. She recently retired from the Organization of American States, where she served inter alia as a former Principal Human Rights Specialist at the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. She has worked as a consultant for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), served as a Fulbright Fellow conducting research at the European Court of Human Rights, and has published extensively on international human rights law issues. The Consultative Group believes that of the candidates interviewed, Ms. Cerna demonstrated not only an understanding of the various human rights issues at play and a realistic appreciation for the challenges that a mandate holder may face, but was also the most likely to be able to objectively engage the key interested parties having not previously taken public positions on issues relevant to the mandate.

Ms. Chinkin is a lawyer and a professor of international human rights law at the London School of Economics and Political Science. She has experience working in the Middle East, having served as a member of the High-level Fact-Finding Mission to Beit Hanoun (2008) and a member of the United Nations Fact-Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict (2009). Ms. Chinkin is a member of the Human Rights Advisory Panel, which examines complaints of alleged human rights violations committed by or attributable to the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo. She has experience in training judges and lawyers on human rights issues and international humanitarian law. 

Mr. Cerone is a professor of international law at New England School of Law in Boston and currently a visiting professor at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts. He has worked with the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, Amnesty International, and the International Crisis Group. He has extensive field experience in conflict and post-conflict environments, having worked at the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo and having undertaken field missions in Afghanistan, Sierra Leone and East Timor.

***

Annex I 
List of eligible candidates considered by mandate


Independent Expert on the effects of foreign debt and other related international financial obligations of States on the full enjoyment of all human rights, particularly economic, social and cultural rights

Candidates
 Nationality
Mr. Philip ALSTON Australia
Mr. Ilias BANTEKAS Greece
Ms. Maria del Rocio BARAHONA-RIERA Costa Rica
Mr. Juan BOHOSLAVSKY Argentina
Ms. Jemilah HAMADOU ABDOULAYE Niger
Mr. Boubacar TOURÉ Canada
Mr.  Nsongurua UDOMBANA Nigeria


Independent Expert on the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons

Candidates
 Nationality
Ms. Maria del Rocio BARAHONA-RIERA Costa Rica
Mr. Israel DORON Israel
Mr. Brian Neil Joseph GLOVER Mauritius
Mr. Hacene HOUCHATI Algeria
Ms. Rosa KORNFELD-MATTE Chile
Ms. Evelyn LAPORTE United States of America
Ms. Claire MAHON New Zealand
Mr. Namik OZMEN Turkey
Ms. Bridget SLEAP United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Mr. John WILLIAMS United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Ms. Jeya WILSON New Zealand


Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Somalia

Candidates
 Nationality
Mr. Anees AHMED India
Ms. Bronwyn BRUTON United States of America
Mr. John CERONE United States of America
Mr. Solomon GOFIE Ethiopia 
Mr. Bahame NYANDUGA United Republic of Tanzania
Ms. Sima SAMAR Afghanistan
Mr. Mario SILVA Canada
Mr. Michael SMITH Australia


Special Rapporteur on adequate housing as a component of the right to an adequate standard of living and the right to non-discrimination in that context

Candidates
 Nationality
Ms. Natalie BOCCADORO France
Mr. John CERONE United States of America
Mr. Bruno César DESCHAMPS MEIRINHO Brazil
Ms. Jacqueline DUGARD South Africa
Ms. Leilani FARHA  Canada
Ms. Ilise FEITSHANS United States of America
Mr. Fernando JIMENEZ-CAVIERES Chile
Mr. Charles KING United States of America
Mr. Ioannis KTISTAKIS Greece
Mr. Fernando MURILLO Argentina
Ms. Aoife NOLAN Ireland
Mr.  Marcus Vinicius ONODERA Brazil
Mr. Balakrishnan RAJAGOPAL United States of America
Ms.  Ana SUGRANYES BICKEL Spain


Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery, including its causes and consequences

Candidates
 Nationality
Mr. Anees AHMED India
Mr. Jean ALLAIN Canada
Ms. Urmila BHOOLA South Africa
Mr. Francisco CARRIÓN-MENA Ecuador
Ms. Christina CERNA United States of America
Mr. John CERONE United States of America
Ms. Janie CHUANG United States of America
Mr.  Oghnian FORTOUNOFF Bulgaria
Ms. Domenica GHIDEI Netherlands
Mr. José GOMEZ DEL PRADO Spain
Ms.  Ruchira GUPTA India
Ms.  Asma JAHANGIR Pakistan
Mr. Michael KAYE United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Ms. Evelyn LAPORTE United States of America
Mr. Zbigniew LASOCIK Poland
Ms. Zonke MAJODINA South Africa
Ms. Gay MCDOUGALL United States of America
Ms. Vera NKWATE NGASSA Cameroon
Mr. Tomoya OBOKATA Japan
Mr. Leonardo SAKAMOTO Brazil
Mr. Boubacar TOURÉ Canada


Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights

Candidates
 Nationality
Mr. Philip ALSTON Australia
Ms. Christina CERNA United States of America
Mr. John CERONE United States of America
Ms. Hilal ELVER Turkey
Ms. Penelopa GJURCHILOVA The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
Mr. Emilio José GOMEZ CIRIANO Spain
Ms. Jemilah HAMADOU Niger
Mr. Ludovic HENNEBEL Belgium
Ms. Evelyn LAPORTE United States of America
Ms. Yanghee LEE Republic of Korea
Mr. Harsh MANDER India
Mr. Koffi Sylvain MENSAH ATTOH Togo
Mr. Chola MTONGA Zambia
Mr. Stepan PETROV Russian Federation
Ms. Diane ROMAN France
Mr. Donald RUKARE Uganda
Mr. Rory TRUELL New Zealand


Special Rapporteur on the right to food

Candidates
 Nationality
Mr. Ravindran DANIEL JUSTIN                                                                        India
Ms.  Hilal ELVER Turkey
Mr. Olivier GONNET France
Mr. Sibonile KHOZA South Africa
Ms. Evelyn LAPORTE United States of America
Ms. Sofía   MONSALVE SUÁREZ Germany
Ms. Smita NARULA United States of America
Mr. Rajagopal   BALAKRISHNAN India




Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples

Candidates
 Nationality
Mr. Jon Mattias ÅHRÉN Sweden
Mr. José BENGOA Chile
Ms. India BOWERS United States of America
Ms. Christine CHARLOT France
Mr. Michael DODSON Australia
Mr. Khalid MALIK Canada
Mr. Stepan PETROV Russian Federation
Mr. Leonardo RODRIGUEZ PEREZ Colombia
Ms. Dalee SAMBO DOROUGH United States of America
Ms. Dinah SHELTON United States of America
Ms. Victoria Lucia TAULI-CORPUZ Philippines
Mr. Naurbek TOKHTABIEV Russian Federation
Mr. Boubacar TOURÉ Canada
Ms. Gulazat TURSUN China


Special Rapporteur on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography

Candidates
 Nationality
Ms. Talia BONGNI-SHEIKH Switzerland
Mr. Suhas CHAKMA India
Ms. Maud DE BOER-BUQUICCHIO Netherlands
Mr. Nicolás ESPEJO YAKSIC Chile
Mr. Kamel FILALI Algeria
Ms.  Enakshi GANGULY THUKRAL India
Ms. Ruchira GUPTA India
Ms. Evelyn LAPORTE United States of America
Ms. Yanghee LEE Republic of Korea
Mr. Enzo Maria LE FEVRE Argentina
Mr. Khalid MALIK Canada
Ms. Navamanee PATTEN Mauritius
Mr. Omar SIAL Pakistan
Ms. Vanessa SIMOES Brazil
Ms. Inga Marte THORKILDSEN Norway
Ms.  Shiranee TILAKAWARDANE Sri Lanka
Mr. Jonathan TODRES United States of America






Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders

Candidates
 Nationality
Mr. Anees AHMED India
Ms. Souhayr BELHASSEN Tunisia
Mr. Manuele BELLONZI Italy
Ms. Sihem BENSEDRINE Tunisia
Mr. Adam BODNAR Poland
Ms. Agnes CALLAMARD France
Ms. Christina CERNA United States of America
Mr. Ravindran DANIEL JUSTIN India
Mr. Francisco Enrique DÍAZ RODRÍGUEZ El Salvador
Mr. Drew ENGEL United States of America
Ms. Alda FACIO Costa Rica
Mr. Michel FORST France
Mr. Roberto GARRETÓN Chile
Mr. Jared GENSER United States of America
Ms. Penelopa GJURCHILOVA The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
Mr. Luis GONZÁLEZ	 Mexico
Ms. Elizabeth GRIFFIN United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Mr. Amadou GUEYE Canada
Mr. Hurst HANNUM United States of America
Mr. Richard HARVEY United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Mr. Ross HYNES Canada
Mr. Muhammed LADAN Nigeria
Ms. Evelyn LAPORTE United States of America
Mr. Enzo Maria LE FEVRE Argentina
Mr. Jeremy LEVITT United States of America
Ms.  Viviane MALDONADO Brazil
Mr. Khalid MALIK Canada
Ms. Gay MCDOUGALL United States of America
Mr. Koffi Sylvain MENSAH ATTOH Togo
Ms. Karinna MOSKALENKO Russian Federation
Mr. Mark MULLER United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Mr. Martin O’BRIEN Ireland
Ms. Aslihan OZTEZEL Turkey
Mr. Stepan PETROV Russian Federation
Ms. Heidy ROMBOUTS Belgium
Ms.  Claudia SAMAYOA Guatemala
Mr. Edward Dinayen SHEY Cameroon
Mr. Mario SILVA Canada
Mr. Eric SOTTAS Switzerland
Mr. Máté   SZABÓ Hungary
Mr. Boubacar TOURÉ Canada


Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar

Candidates
 Nationality
Mr. Anees AHMED India
Ms. Christina CERNA United States of America
Mr. John CERONE United States of America
Mr. Ravindran DANIEL JUSTIN India
Mr. Michael GAY Australia
Mr. Jared GENSER United States of America
Ms. Penelopa GJURCHILOVA The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
Mr. José GOMEZ DEL PRADO                                                                        Spain
Mr. Patrick HEIN Luxembourg
Mr. Guy HORTON United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Ms. Asma JAHANGIR Pakistan
Mr. David KAYE United States of America
Mr. Kimmo KILJUNEN Finland
Mr. Miloon KOTHARI India
Ms. Yanghee LEE Republic of Korea
Mr. Michael POSNER United States of America
Ms. Rhona SMITH United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Mr. Ricardo III   SUNGA Philippines


Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967

Candidates
 Nationality
Mr. Anees AHMED India
Ms. Phyllis BENNIS United States of America
Ms.  Christina CERNA United States of America
Mr. John CERONE United States of America
Ms. Christine CHANET France
Ms. Christine CHINKIN United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Mr. Michael MANSFIELD United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Mr. William SCHABAS Ireland
Mr. Makarim WIBISONO Indonesia
Mr. Johannes WIJENBERG Netherlands

Annex II 
List of shortlisted candidates interviewed by the Consultative Group


Independent Expert on the effects of foreign debt and other related international financial obligations of States on the full enjoyment of all human rights, particularly economic, social and cultural rights

Candidates
 Nationality
Mr. Philip ALSTON Australia
Mr. Ilias BANTEKAS Greece
Ms. Maria del Rocio BARAHONA-RIERA Costa Rica
Mr. Juan BOHOSLAVSKY Argentina


Independent Expert on the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons

Candidates
 Nationality
Ms. Maria del Rocio BARAHONA-RIERA Costa Rica
Mr. Israel DORON Israel
Ms. Rosa KORNFELD-MATTE Chile
Mr. John WILLIAMS United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland


Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Somalia

Candidates
 Nationality
Ms. Bronwyn BRUTON United States of America
Mr. Bahame NYANDUGA United Republic of Tanzania
Ms. Sima SAMAR Afghanistan


Special Rapporteur on adequate housing as a component of the right to an adequate standard of living and the right to non-discrimination in that context

Candidates
 Nationality
Ms. Leilani FARHA  Canada
Mr. Fernando JIMENEZ-CAVIERES Chile
Mr. Fernando MURILLO Argentina
Mr. Balakrishnan RAJAGOPAL United States of America
Ms.  Ana SUGRANYES BICKEL Spain


Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery, including its causes and consequences

Candidates
 Nationality
Mr. Jean ALLAIN Canada
Ms. Urmila BHOOLA South African
Mr. Francisco CARRIÓN-MENA Ecuador
Ms. Janie CHUANG United States of America
Ms.  Asma JAHANGIR Pakistan


Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights

Candidates
 Nationality
Mr. Philip ALSTON Australia
Mr. Harsh MANDER India
Ms. Diane ROMAN France
Mr. Donald RUKARE Uganda


Special Rapporteur on the right to food

Candidates
 Nationality
Ms.  Hilal ELVER Turkey
Ms. Sofía   MONSALVE SUÁREZ Germany
Ms. Smita NARULA United States of America


Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples

Candidates
 Nationality
Mr. Jon Mattias ÅHRÉN Sweden
Mr. Michael DODSON Australia
Ms. Dalee SAMBO DOROUGH United States of America
Ms. Victoria Lucia TAULI-CORPUZ Philippines



Special Rapporteur on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography

Candidates Nationality

Ms. Maud DE BOER-BUQUICCHIO Netherlands
Mr. Nicolás ESPEJO YAKSIC Chile
Ms. Yanghee LEE Republic of Korea
Ms. Inga Marte THORKILDSEN Norway

Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders

Candidates
 Nationality
Ms. Souhayr BELHASSEN Tunisia
Mr. Michel FORST France
Mr. Roberto GARRETÓN Chile
Mr. Máté   SZABÓ Hungary


Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar

Candidates
 Nationality
Mr. Jared GENSER United States of America
Mr. Guy HORTON United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Ms. Asma JAHANGIR Pakistan
Mr. Kimmo KILJUNEN Finland
Ms. Yanghee LEE Republic of Korea


Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967

Candidates
 Nationality
Ms. Phyllis BENNIS United States of America
Ms.  Christina CERNA United States of America
Mr. John CERONE United States of America
Ms. Christine CHANET France
Ms. Christine CHINKIN United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

		
 The mandates are listed in this report in alphabetical order. 
 As per paragraph 47 of the annex to Human Rights Council resolution 5/1. 
 http://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/SP/Pages/HRC25.aspx
 As transmitted in a letter from the Chairperson of the Coordination Committee of Special Procedures (dated 9 January 2014). 
 Letter dated 28 January 2014 to the President of the Human Rights Council from the Permanent Representative of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to the United Nations on behalf of the African Group.  
 The list of mandates and candidates is provided in alphabetical order.
 The list of mandates and candidates is provided in alphabetical order.

	

	









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