The Role of Special Procedures in Sustaining Peace and Preventing Conflict through Human Rights

In a world increasingly polarized and divided, with threats to peace globally, it is crucial to use all means necessary, including innovative, to sustain peace and prevent conflict. Peace, security and human rights are interlinked, and as recognized by the Secretary-General of the United Nations, the international human rights framework provides a critical foundation for sustaining peace as it is universal and designed to address many of the issues that, if left unaddressed, can drive and fuel conflict. Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council in the UN have specific independent mandates that, through the integration of human rights and sustaining peace matters, can play a crucial role in sustaining peace by addressing the root causes of conflict and promoting human rights and thereby in preventing conflict. 

Based on a recent project implemented by OHCHR and QUNO, the speakers will demonstrate through concrete examples how Special Procedures can contribute to conflict prevention, resolution, and post-conflict recovery, examine recommendations on how to further increase the collaboration between Special Procedures and the UN peacebuilding efforts and formulate actionable proposals to leverage the insights and recommendations from the project in the lead-up to the 2025 Peacebuilding Architecture Review.

Opening remarks

• H.E. Mr. Jürg Lauber - Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary and Permanent Representative of Switzerland
   

Speakers

• Adam Day - Head of the Geneva Office of United Nations University Centre for Policy Research, United Nations University, Centre for Policy Research, Geneva
• Mr. Clément Nyaletsossi Voule - Former Special Rapporteur on freedom of peaceful assembly and of association
• Ms. Anita Ramasastry -  former member of the Working Group on Business and Human Rights and former Chair of the Coordination Committee of Special Procedures
   

Moderator

• Nathalie Rondeux - Secretary of the Coordination Committee, Special Procedures Branch, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
   

Closing remarks

• Laural Townhead -  Interim Director and Human Rights and Refugees Representative, QUNO

Interpretation

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Live streaming

All events during Geneva Peace Week will be available on-site and online.

Main organiser

• Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
   

Co-Organizers

• Quaker United Nations Office Geneva (QUNO)