HRC 58: #EmptyChairs campaign Statement to the General Debate on Item 5

General Debate on Item 5: Human rights bodies and mechanisms

58th session of the Human Rights Council

21 March 2025

Statement by Akãhatã

Thank you, President.

Akãhatã makes this statement on behalf of the #EmptyChairs Campaign, the International Service for Human Rights, the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA World),and the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH).

We thank the Chair of the Coordination Committee for presenting reports on Special Procedures’ work in 2024.

We welcome the continued, principled work of the Special Procedures on a range of human rights issues, and the challenges they pose to States' double standards and the failures of multilateralism, including on the rights of the Palestinian people. We also appreciate Special Procedures' continued calls for accountability for all actors, including powerful States, international financial institutions and corporations.

We welcome the new members of the Coordination Committee and trust they will work on enhancing transparency, coordination and cooperation with all stakeholders.

The liquidity crisis has led to cuts in Special Procedures’ activities and limited engagement opportunities for rights holders. States cannot continue defunding the Special Procedures system, which they have created, thereby preventing them from fulfilling their essential mandates. States must pay their dues in full and on time.[1] We ask the Coordination Committee and the Secretariat to regularly update and consult with civil society on the impact of the liquidity crisis and other challenges and developments affecting Special Procedures and OHCHR, and to make that information public and easily accessible.

We regret that the Annual Meeting of Special Procedures last year was restricted to in-person participation for civil society, making this essential dialogue inaccessible for those outside of Geneva. We reiterate our request to reinstate remote participation for future annual meetings and throughout the work of Special Procedures. Those who wish to engage should be able to do so remotely, including through video statements, with interpretation in UN languages, and accessibility measures such as sign language interpretation and closed captioning.[2] Inclusive participation of diverse civil society, particularly those in the Global South and from underrepresented and marginalized groups, cannot be an afterthought.

Special Procedures must ensure thorough investigations of intimidation and reprisals, prioritizing victim protection needs and involving all relevant stakeholders. They should leverage public communications to hold States accountable and maintain a comprehensive record of all cases to allow for effective follow-up.

We urge States to stop applying double standards when approaching different mandates and issues and ensure that all mandates are adequately resourced to fulfill their vital roles, including robust engagement with civil society.

Thank you.