International Human Rights and the International Human Rights System A Manual for National Human Rights Institutions Radhika Coomaraswamy, Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, speaks with journalists after touring the grounds of the Organisation for Mine Clearance and Afghan Rehabilitation in Kabul, Afghanistan. UN Photo by Eric Kanalstein. The SP usually briefs the media at the end of the visit to give an initial view of the situation in the country. A report to the HRC, with findings and recommendations, is prepared after the visit. The report is discussed in a plenary session of the HRC, in an interactive dialogue format. A country visit by an SP is one of the most effective means of bringing a human rights situation to international attention. It can therefore be an important means by which an NHRI can build international support for its work and, in that way, increase its effectiveness. Many NHRIs actively encourage SPs to visit their countries. Most NHRIs assist SPs on country visits. An SP making a country visit generally has limited knowledge of the country and needs access to local expertise. The NHRI can provide its expertise, knowledge and experience to support and advise the SP before, during and after the visit. After the visit, the SP finalizes and releases the visit report and participates in an interactive dialogue in the HRC regular session. The “A status” NHRI of the country visited can speak, in person or by video, in the HRC session immediately after the State concerned when the report is presented.149 Later, the NHRI can be the most influential advocate for the report’s implementation. In supporting SPs and country visits, an NHRI can: • encourage its Government to issue a standing invitation to all SPs to visit • propose that its Government invite and encourage a visit by a particular SP whose mandate is relevant to the country situation • propose a country visit to a particular SP whose mandate is relevant to the country situation • brief the SP and her or his staff, both before the visit and during it • brief government officials, NGOs, other experts, legal authorities and victims about the purpose, nature and the arrangements for the visit • advise the SP on the programme for the visit, including who should be met during the visit 149 HRC Resolution 16/21; Part II.B.; para. 28. Chapter 7: Special procedures | 53