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	Special Procedure holders of the UN Human Rights Council by UN Office for Human Rights (OHCHR)   The special procedures of the Human Rights Council are independent human rights experts with mandates to report and advise on human rights from a thematic or country-specific perspective.   The system of Special Procedures is a central element of the United Nations human rights machinery and covers all human rights: civil, cultural, economic, political, and social. As of 1 April 2013 there are 36 thematic and 13 country mandates.   With the support of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), special procedures undertake country visits; act on individual cases and concerns of a broader, structural nature by sending communications to States and others in which they bring alleged violations or abuses to their attention; conduct thematic studies and convene expert consultations, contribute to the development of international human rights standards, engage in advocacy, raise public awareness, and provide advice for technical cooperation.   Special procedures report annually to the Human Rights Council; the majority of the mandates also reports to the General Assembly. Their tasks are defined in the resolutions creating or extending their mandates.   Special procedures are either an individual (called "Special Rapporteur" or "Independent Expert") or a working group composed of five members, one from each of the five United Nations regional groupings: Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, Eastern Europe and the Western group. The Special Rapporteurs, Independent Experts and members of the Working Groups are appointed by the Human Rights Council and serve in their personal capacities. They undertake to uphold independence, efficiency, competence and integrity through probity, impartiality, honesty and good faith. They are not United Nations staff members and do not receive financial remuneration. The independent status of the mandate holders is crucial in order to be able to fulfil their functions in all impartiality. A mandate-holder’s tenure in a given function, whether it is a thematic or country mandate, is limited to a maximum of six years.   Country visits   Mandate holders carry out country visits to analyse the human rights situation at the national level. They typically send a letter to the State requesting to visit the country, and, if the State agrees, an invitation to visit is extended. Some countries have issued "standing invitations", which means that they are, in principle, prepared to receive a visit from any thematic special procedures mandate holder. As of 15 April 2013, 94 States had extended standing invitations to the special procedures. After their visits, special procedures'' mandate-holders issue a mission report containing their findings and recommendations.   Communications   Most special procedures receive information on specific allegations of human rights violations and send urgent appeals or letters of allegation to States asking for clarification. Mandate holders may also send letters to States seeking information about new developments, submitting observations, or following-up on recommendations. These letters do not necessarily allege that a violation has taken place or is about to occur. In 2012, a total of 603 communications were sent to 126 countries. 74% of these were joint communications of two or more mandate holders. Communications sent and the responses received are reported at each regular session to the Human Rights Council.   * Access more details via the link below. Visit the related web page
	Human rights group slams Cambodian lawyer ban by News agencies   February 2013   A Cambodian human rights group says the move to restrict the country''s lawyers from speaking to the media is a "new low".   A Cambodian human rights group says the move to restrict the country''s lawyers from speaking to the media is a "new low".   The Cambodian Government says lawyers must have permission from the Bar Council before accepting any invitation to speak with the media.   Ou Virak, president of the Cambodian Centre for Human Rights, has told news agencies it is one of many measures the government is using to limit public discussion as the country approaches its national election in July this year.   "This is a major blow not just for freedom of expression but also for our push for rule of law and the independence of the judiciary as well," he said.   The government claims the rule is intended to prevent "negative consequences upon the people".   Mr Virak says the rule is unconstitutional. "It''s only intended to control those who have been publicly critical of the judiciary, those who have been publicly critical of political cases," he said.   All practising lawyers in Cambodia must be a member of the Bar Council.   Mr Virak says international donors working on rule of law programs and raising legal awareness among the population should hold the Cambodian Government accountable.   "I think donors who work on pushing for rule of law and democracy, they need to speak up," he said.
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