International Human Rights and the International Human Rights System A Manual for National Human Rights Institutions Chapter 8: Other permanent mechanisms of the Human Rights Council KEY QUESTIONS • What are the Human Rights Council’s other permanent mechanisms? • How does each of these mechanisms work? • What roles, if any, can NHRIs play in relation to each of these mechanisms? 1. INTRODUCTION The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) and the special procedures (SPs) are important and influential mechanisms of the Human Rights Council (HRC) but other HRC mechanisms also contribute towards fulfilling the HRC’s mandate for the promotion and protection of human rights. They are permanent or standing mechanisms in that they have been established by the HRC. They were not established on a temporary or ad hoc basis for a particular investigation or mission but have indefinite status and a wide mandate. These mechanisms are: • • • • • the Human Rights Council Advisory Committee150 the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples151 the Social Forum152 the Forum on Minority Issues153 the Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent.154 These mechanisms all meet and work in open, public session and NHRIs can participate in the work of each of them. 2. HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL ADVISORY COMMITTEE The HRC established the Human Rights Council Advisory Committee to “function as a think tank for the Council and work at its direction”.155 The HRC has placed the Advisory Committee firmly under its control and has denied it any power of initiation. It is to “provide expertise to the Council in the manner and form requested by the Council, focusing mainly on studies and research-based advice. Further, such expertise shall be rendered only upon the latter’s request, in compliance with its resolutions and under its guidance.”156 The Advisory Committee cannot adopt resolutions or decisions but it can make suggestions to enhance its “procedural efficiency” and proposals for further research.157 150 See: www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/hrcouncil/advisorycommittee.htm. 151 See: www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/IPeoples/EMRIP/Pages/EMRIPIndex.aspx. 152 See: www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/Poverty/SForum/Pages/SForumIndex.aspx. 153 See: www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/hrcouncil/minority/forum.htm. 154 See: www2.ohchr.org/english/issues/racism/groups/african/4african.htm. 155 HRC Resolution 5/1; Part III; para. 65. The HRC Advisory Committee is the successor to the Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights, established by the former Commission on Human Rights. 156 HRC Resolution 5/1; Part III.C.; para. 75. 157 HRC Resolution 5/1; Part III.C.; para. 77. Chapter 8: Other permanent mechanisms of the Human Rights Council | 55