Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions

Headlines

Albania can do more to eliminate blood feuds and domestic violence, says UN expert on extrajudicial killings
23 February 2010

The Special Rapporteur concludes that Sri Lankan video is authentic, calls for an independent war crimes investigation
7 January 2010

Technical Note prepared by the Special Rapporteur and
Appendix to the Technical Note containing the opinions of the three experts

Most recent press releases

Profesor Philip Alston, Relator Especial sobre ejecuciones extrajudiciales, Misión a Ecuador: 5-15 de julio de 2010
15 July 2010

Democratic Republic of the Congo: UN expert expresses grave concern for civilian security
2 June 2010

UN Special Rapporteur finds that killings by Brazilian police continue at alarming rates, Government has failed to take all necessary action
1 June 2010

UN Expert finds progress, but also pattern of unlawful killings and ongoing "serious problems" with Colombia's Security Policies [English - Spanish]
27 May 2010

UN expert urges China to cancel scheduled execution
24 December 2009

UN expert on extrajudicial executions calls on UN to end support to Congolese military operations commanded by known war criminals
17 December 2009

UN Experts: Maguindanao massacre must be the start of a major reform process
2 December 2009

UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial executions concludes visit to the Democratic Republic of the Congo [French version]
15 October 2009

“Massacres continue in Congo at hands of armed groups and Congolese army”, says UN expert [French version]
15 October 2009

An Independent Investigation into Sri Lankan Executions is Urgent, says UN Expert
31 August 2009

Statement of Clarification by UN Expert on Extrajudicial Executions in relation to Kenya
2 July 2009

UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial executions concluded fact-finding mission to Colombia
18 June 2009

UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial executions to visit Colombia
8 June 2009

Urgent international scrutiny needed in Sri Lanka, say UN Human Rights Experts
8 May 2009

UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial executions,concludes fact-finding mission to Kenya and
Full text of Special Rapporteur's statement
25 February 2009

UN Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial Executions to visit Kenya
13 February 2009

Police responsible for many of Brazil's homicides, says UN Expert
15 September 2008

UN Special Rapporteur calls on the U.S. to take steps to avoid unlawful killings
30 June 2008

More robust effort needed to prevent unlawful killings Afghanistan's armed conflict should not prevent the authorities and the international community from taking concrete protective measures for civilians, Special Rapporteur Philip Alston said at the end of a mission
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15 May 2008

UN Expert on Extrajudicial Executions warns against reinstatement of death penalty by stealth
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25 March 2008 [Spanish Version]

Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial, Summary or Arbitrary Executions concludes visit to Central African Republic

7 February 2008

Introduction

The subject of summary or arbitrary executions had been discussed in the United Nations for many years within the framework of a wider discussion on human rights. The Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities had for a long time reported on this subject under the item entitled "Disappearances and summary executions". Over the years, the Sub-Commission's reports revealed increasing instances of alleged summary executions. The Commission on Human Rights, in its resolution 20 (XXXVI), of 29 February 1980, established the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances. The creation of that Group, in addition to other developments, led to the establishment of the mandate on summary and arbitrary executions.

The Commission on Human Rights, by its resolution 1982/29 of 11 March 1982, recommended that the Economic and Social Council request the Chairman of the Commission to appoint an individual of recognized international standing as special rapporteur to submit a comprehensive report to the Commission at its thirty-ninth session on the occurrence and extent of the practice of summary or arbitrary executions, together with his conclusions and recommendations. This resolution was subsequently adopted by the Economic and Social Council as resolution 1982/35 and established the mandate of the Special Rapporteur.

The mandate has been renewed several times. The Commission on Human Rights, in its resolution 1992/72, renewed the mandate of the Special Rapporteur and widened the title of the mandate to include "extrajudicial" as well as "summary or arbitrary" executions. This change indicates that the members of the Commission have adopted a broader approach to the mandate on executions to include all violations of the right to life as guaranteed by a large number of international human rights instruments.

The mandate of the Special Rapporteur covers all countries, irrespective of whether a State has ratified relevant international Conventions.

The Human Rights Council, in its resolution 8/3, requested the Special Rapporteur, in carrying out his mandate:

(a) To continue to examine situations of extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions in all circumstances and for whatever reason, and to submit his or her findings on an annual basis, together with conclusions and recommendations, to the Council and the General Assembly, and to draw the attention of the Council to serious situations of extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions that warrant immediate attention or where early action might prevent further deterioration;

(b) To continue to draw the attention of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to serious situations of extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions that warrant immediate attention or where early action might prevent further deterioration;

(c) To respond effectively to information which comes before him or her, in particular when an extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary execution is imminent or threatened or when such an execution has occurred;

(d) To enhance further his or her dialogue with Governments, as well as to follow up on recommendations made in reports after visits to particular countries;

(e) To continue monitoring the implementation of existing international standards on safeguards and restrictions relating to the imposition of capital punishment, bearing in mind the comments made by the Human Rights Committee in its interpretation of article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, as well as the Second Optional Protocol thereto;

(f) To apply a gender perspective in his or her work.

In carrying out his/her mandate, the Special Rapporteur:

a) Transmits urgent appeals to States in cases that evince a fear of imminent extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions and transmitting alleged cases of extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions to concerned Governments in the form of case summaries (see Individual Complaints);

b) Undertakes fact-finding country visits;

c) Submits annual reports on activities the mandate and methods of work to the Commission and the General Assembly.

Special Rapporteurs:

• Mr. Philip Alston (Australia), 2004
• Ms. Asma Jahangir (Pakistan), 1998-July 2004
• Mr. Bacre Waly Ndiaye (Senegal), 1992-1998
• Mr. S. Amos Wako (Kenya), 1982-1992