This is a joint letter by six NGOs to the Consultative Group of the Human Rights Council in relation to the appointment of four Special Procedure mandate holders at the Human Rights Council’s 35th regular session. The appointment of independent, impartial, competent and expert persons from all regions of the world is essential to ensuring a well-functioning system of Special Procedures, which, in turn, is of crucial importance to the functioning of the Human Rights Council. The selection and appointment of mandate holders, through a transparent and merit based process, on the basis of relevant expertise for the mandate in question, real and perceived independence, impartiality, personal integrity and objectivity are of crucial importance for the effective functioning of the mandates.
