Special Rapporteur for human rights defenders: open vacancy for impartial and competent candidates

In March 2026, the UN Human Rights Council (the Council) will appoint the next Special Rapporteur on the situation of Human Rights Defenders. The role of this Special Rapporteur is essential: they promote the work of those who defend human rights and they protect human rights defenders at risk. The Special Rapporteur serves in a voluntary capacity and is independent of the UN, States and non-governmental organisations. As other Special Rapporteurs, they are tasked by the UN to monitor and report on human rights situations around the world. They also provide advice and recommendations for the implementation of those rights.

The four rapporteurs until now have all been of exceptional calibre:

Mary Lawlor (Ireland)

2020-2026

She became a Board member of the Irish Section of Amnesty International in 1975, was elected Chair from 1983 -1987 and in 1988 became its Director. She founded Front Line Defenders in 2001 to focus specifically on the protection of human rights defenders at risk.

On 1 May 2020, she took up the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, where she has adopted a people-centred approach to the mandate. Her mandate was renewed for another three-year term by the UN Human Rights Council in April 2023.

She is also currently an Adjunct Professor of Business and Human Rights in the Centre for Social Innovation (CSI), School of Business, Trinity College Dublin.

[see also: https://humanrightsdefenders.blog/tag/mary-lawlor/]

Mr. Michel Forst (France)

2014 – 2020

Mr. Michel Forst (France) was Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders from June 2014 until April 2020. From 2008 to 2013, Mr. Forst was the UN Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Haiti, and between 2012 and 2013 he was the Chair of the Coordination Committee of the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council.

[see also: https://humanrightsdefenders.blog/tag/michel-forst/]


Mrs. Margaret Sekaggya (Uganda)

2008 – 2014

Mrs. Margaret Sekaggya (Uganda) was the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders from 2008 to 2014. Before her appointment as Special Rapporteur, Ms. Sekaggya was the Chairperson of the Uganda Human Rights Commission and a High Court Judge in the country.

see also: https://humanrightsdefenders.blog/tag/margaret-sekaggya/


Ms. Hina Jilani (Pakistan)

2000 – 2008

Ms. Hina Jilani (Pakistan) was Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders from 2000 – 2008. In 1980, she and her sister founded Pakistan’s first women-only legal practise. She became an Advocate of the Supreme Court shortly after her tenure as Special Rapporteur came to an end.

see also: https://humanrightsdefenders.blog/tag/hina-jilani/

We should be campaigning so the new person appointed is independent, impartial and competent and comes from a background that represents the diversity of our world. 

Are you a suitable candidate? Apply! (1) Complete the online survey (2) Submit the application form in Word format. The deadline for applications is 31 August 2025, noon Geneva time (CEST).

Apply now

This post was originally published on Hans Thoolen on Human Rights Defenders and their awards.