PRI has joined human rights organisations and activists from around the world in signing a global petition to protect the UN Human Rights Council's Special Procedures.

The UN Human Rights Council is currently discussing changes to the Special Procedures through a review, which must be completed by June 2007. Despite the clear need for the Human Rights Council to strengthen the Special Procedures, several states are instead proposing changes that would cripple the ability of Special Procedures to promote and protect human rights effectively.

Those states are disregarding the harm that such measures would do to the men, women and children whose human rights are violated every day in all parts of the world, and who look to the Special Procedures to intervene on their behalf in defence of their rights.

Mel James, PRI's Policy Director, said, 'Special Procedures are the most effective and flexible mechanism that the UN has devised for reporting human rights violations and helping governments to improve their practices and implement the provisions of international human rights standards. I therefore urge everyone who is committed to international human rights standards to sign the petition.'

Take Action Now!

To sign the petition go to: www.actforspecialprocedures.org