Selection of new Special Rapporteur on Torture

In 2010, the Human Rights Council will be selecting a new mandate holder to replace Prof. Manfred Nowak as UN Special Rapporteur on Torture as his second term expires at the end of this year. Due to the controversial nature of the mandate, it is crucial that the Human Rights Council selects a new mandate holder who is able to continue the very high standard of independence, integrity and professionalism applied by Prof. Nowak and his predecessors.

The Coalition of International NGOs Against Torture (the CINAT group) has jointly developed a set of criteria as input to the selection process. These non-exhaustive criteria enumerate the basic requirements to be fulfilled by possible candidates and should be read as an interpretative aid to the basic requirements of qualifications, relevant expertise, established competence and flexibility/readiness and availability of time established by the Human Rights Council.

The IRCT encourages all members and partners to consider how you can contribute to the selection of a strong mandate holder through influencing your respective governments.

For further information, please contact Asger Kjaerum at akj@irct.org. The CINAT criteria are available in English, Spanish, French and Arabic.