• Polluting or hazardous activities that reflect a pattern of racial
discrimination with substantial harm to specific groups.13
In addition to the human rights treaty bodies, the mandate of the Special
Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide was created in 2004, inter alia,
to act as an early warning mechanism for the Secretary-General and the
Security Council by bringing to their attention situations that could result in
genocide. To this end, the Special Adviser collects information on massive
and serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law
with an ethnic or racial dimension that could lead to genocide, makes
recommendations to the Security Council (through the Secretary-General)
on actions to prevent or halt genocide, and liaises with the United Nations
system on activities for the prevention of genocide (including strengthening
the United Nations capacity to analyse and manage information relating
to genocide and related crimes). The legislative framework for the work of
the Special Adviser is the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of
the Crime of Genocide.14
B.
Human rights special procedures15
The Independent Expert on minority issues
The mandate of the United Nations Independent Expert on minority issues
was established in 2005, inter alia, to promote the implementation of
the United Nations Minorities Declaration, to identify best practices
and opportunities for technical cooperation by OHCHR, to engage in
consultation and dialogue with Governments regarding minority issues in
their countries, and to take into account the views of non-governmental
organizations (NGOs).16
Information on the specific situation of a particular group or individual as
well as on the general situation of minorities in a country or region can
be sent to the Independent Expert through OHCHR. Based on information
received from a variety of sources, the Independent Expert can raise issues
directly with Governments. The Independent Expert sends urgent appeals
or letters of allegation, usually together with other special procedure
mandate-holders. The Independent Expert undertakes country visits at the
invitation of Governments to further constructive consultation, observe
relevant programmes and policies, register concerns, and identify areas
for cooperation. In addition, the Independent Expert engages in work on
13
For more information about this Committee’s early warning mechanism, see A/62/18, annex III.
14
For more information about the mandate, see www.un.org/preventgenocide/adviser (accessed
26 August 2010).
15
The generic name given to the mechanisms established under the Human Rights Council—formerly the
Commission on Human Rights—to address either specific country situations or thematic issues in all
parts of the world.
16
For more information about the mandate of the Independent Expert, see www.ohchr.org.
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