1993
| Mandating authority |
UN Secretary-General |
| Commission/Mission | Fact-finding mission to investigate human rights violations in Abkhazia, Republic of Georgia |
| Mandate |
UN Secretary-General decided to dispatch a fact-finding mission to investigate the situation of human rights violations in Abkhazia, including reports of "ethnic cleansing." (S/26795) Security Council demands that all parties refrain from the use of force and from any violations of international humanitarian law, and welcomes the decision of the Secretary-General to send a fact-finding mission to the Republic of Georgia in this regard, in particular to investigate reports of "ethnic cleansing" (Security Council resolution 876 (1993) of 19 Oct. 1993) |
| Members of the Mission | UN Centre for Human Rights |
| Reports and related documents | Report S/26795 of 17 Nov. 1993 |
2006
| Mandating authority |
High Commissioner for Human Rights |
| Commission/Mission | Afghanistan conflict mapping OHCHR and the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan provided support to the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC) to document violations of human rights and international humanitarian law in Afghanistan between 1978 and 2001 |
| Mandate | To conduct a mapping of violations of human rights and humanitarian law committed by all parties to the Afghan conflicts between April 27, 1978, and December 22, 2001 |
| Members of the Mission | Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights |
| Reports and related documents | AIHRC Conflict Mapping not published as an official document |
1999
| Mandating authority |
General Assembly resolution 54/185 of 17 Dec. 1999 |
| Commission/Mission | OHCHR Investigative team for Afghanistan to investigate fully the reports of massacres of innocent civilians and of mass executions of prisoners of war as well as on reports of killings in Mazar-e Sharif and Bamian; and reports of mass killings of prisoners of war and civilians, rape and cruel treatment in Afghanistan |
| Mandate | General Assembly invites the Secretary-General and the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to proceed without delay to investigate fully reports of mass killings of prisoners of war and civilians, rape and cruel treatment in Afghanistan, and calls upon the United Front and the Taliban to fulfil their stated commitment to cooperate with such investigations |
| Members of the Mission | Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights |
| Reports and related documents | Report was not published as an official document. For related information see A/54/536, para. 62, of 16 Nov. 1999 |
1998
| Mandating authority |
High Commissioner for Human Rights |
| Commission/Mission |
OHCHR Exploratory mission to Afghanistan to determine the feasibility of an investigation into allegations of serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law committed in Afghanistan in the course of 1997 Security Council resolution 1193 (1998) (of 28 Aug. 1998) requests the Secretary-General to continue investigations |
| Mandate | To carry out investigations of reported mass killings of prisoners of war and civilians as well as incidents of rape in northern Afghanistan (1997) and investigations of further reports of violations in Mazar-i-Sharif and Bamyan (1998) |
| Members of the Mission | Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights |
| Reports and related documents | See: A/53/695-S/1998/1109 (para. 58) of 23 Nov. 1998 and A/54/536, para. 62, 16 November 1999 |
1998
| Mandating authority |
General Assembly resolution 52/135 of 12 Dec. 1998 |
| Commission/Mission | Group of experts for Cambodia to evaluate the existing evidence and propose further measures, as a means of bringing about national reconciliation, strengthening democracy and addressing the issue of individual accountability |
| Mandate |
General Assembly requests the Secretary-General to examine the request by the Cambodian authorities for assistance in responding to past serious violations of Cambodian and international law, including the possibility of the appointment, by the Secretary-General, of a group of experts to evaluate the existing evidence and propose further measures, as a means of bringing about national reconciliation, strengthening democracy and addressing the issue of individual accountability (A/RES/52/1385). In accordance with resolution 52/135, in July 1998, the Secretary-General created the Group of Experts for Cambod/ia with the following mandate: (a) To evaluate the existing evidence with a view to determining the nature of the crimes committed by Khmer Rouge leaders in the years from 1975 to 1979; (b) To assess, after consultation with the Governments concerned, the feasibility of bringing Khmer Rouge leaders to justice and their apprehension, detention and extradition or surrender to the criminal jurisdiction established; (c) To explore options for bringing to justice Khmer Rouge leaders before an international or national jurisdiction. (A/53/850) |
| Members of the Mission | Mr. Ninian Stephen (Australia), Chair; Mr. Rajsoomer LALLAH (Mauritius), Mr. Steven R. RATNER (United States of America) |
| Reports and related documents | Report A/53/850-S/1999/231 of 16 Mar. 1999 |
2013
| Mandating authority |
Human Rights Council resolution 22/13 of 21 Mar. 2013 (in A/68/53, pp. 49-51) |
| Commission/Mission | Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (OHCHR web site) |
| Mandate | Human Rights Council decides to establish, for a period of one year, a commission of inquiry comprising three members, one of whom should be the Special Rapporteur, with the other two members appointed by the President of the Human Rights Council. Human Rights Council further decides that the commission of inquiry will investigate the systematic, widespread and grave violations of human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea as outlined in paragraph 31 of the report of the Special Rapporteur,30 including the violation of the right to food, the violations associated with prison camps, torture and inhuman treatment, arbitrary detention, discrimination, violations of freedom of expression, violations of the right to life, violations of freedom of movement, and enforced disappearances, including in the form of abductions of nationals of other States, with a view to ensuring full accountability, in particular where these violations may amount to crimes against humanity |
| Members of the Mission | Mr. Michael KIRBY (Australia), Chair; Ms. Sonja BISERKO (Serbia), Mr. Marzuki DARUSMAN (Indonesia) |
| Reports and related documents | Reports A/HRC/25/CRP.1 and A/HRC/25/63 of 7 Feb. 2014 |
2014
| Mandating authority |
Human Rights Council resolution S-22/1 of 1 Sep. 2014 (in A/69/53/Add.1, pp. 7-9) |
| Commission/Mission | OHCHR Investigation mission to Iraq |
| Mandate | Human Rights Council requests the Office of the High Commissioner urgently to dispatch a mission to Iraq to investigate alleged violations and abuses of international human rights law committed by the so-called Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant and associated terrorist groups, and to establish the facts and circumstances of such a buses and violations, with a view to avoiding impunity and ensuring full accountability, and to provide a report on its findings to the Human Rights Council at an interactive dialogue during its twenty-eighth session, and also requests the High Commissioner to provide an oral update during the twenty-seventh session of the Council on the implementation of the present resolution |
| Members of the Mission | Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights |
| Reports and related documents | A/HRC/28/18 of 27 Mar. 2015 |
2004
| Commission/Mission | Commission of inquiry on Iraq |
| Reports and related documents | The present situation of human rights in Iraq. UN doc E/CN.4/2005/4 |
2006
| Mandating authority |
Human Rights Council resolution S-2/1 of 11 Aug. 2006 (in A/61/53, pp. 108-110) |
| Commission/Mission | Commission of inquiry on Lebanon |
| Mandate | Human Rights Council decides to establish urgently and immediately dispatch a high-level commission of inquiry comprising eminent experts on human rights law and international humanitarian law, and including the possibility of inviting the relevant United Nations special procedures to be nominated to the Commission: (a) To investigate the systematic targeting and killings of civilians by Israel in Lebanon; (b) To examine the types of weapons used by Israel and their conformity with international law; (c) To assess the extent and deadly impact of Israeli attacks on human life, property, critical infrastructure and the environment |
| Members of the Mission | Mr. João Clemente Baena SOARES (Brazil), Chair; Mr. Mohamed Chande OTHMAN (Tanzania), Mr. Stelios PERRAKIS (Greece) |
| Reports and related documents | Report A/HRC/3/2 of 23 Nov. 2006 |
2018
| Mandating authority |
Human Rights Council resolution 39/2 of 27 Sept. 2018 |
| Commission/Mission | Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (OHCHR website) |
| Mandate |
Human Rights Council decided to establish an ongoing independent mechanism to collect, consolidate, preserve and analyse evidence of the most serious international crimes and violations of international law committed in Myanmar since 2011, and to prepare files in order to facilitate and expedite fair and independent criminal proceedings, in accordance with international law standards, in national, regional or international courts or tribunals that have or may in the future have jurisdiction over these crimes, in accordance with international law; |
| Members of the Mission | Mr. Nicholas Koumjian (USA) - Head of the IIMM |
| Reports and related documents |
Reports: A/HRC/45/60 (7 July 2020) Oral statements: Statement by Mr. Nicholas Koumjian, Head of the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (42nd session, 9 Sept. 2019) |
2017
| Mandating authority |
Human Rights Council resolution 34/22 of 24 Mar. 2017, decision 36/115 of 29 Sept. 2017, resolution 39/2 of 27 Sept. 2018 |
| Commission/Mission | Independent international fact-finding mission on Myanmar (OHCHR website) |
|
Mandate
|
Resolution 39/2: Resolution 34/22: Decision 36/115: Resolution 39/2:
|
| Members of the Mission | Mr. Marzuki Darusman (Indonesia), Chair, Ms. Radhika Coomaraswamy (Sri Lanka), Mr. Christopher Dominic Sidoti (Australia) |
| Reports and related documents |
Reports: A/HRC/42/CRP/3 (5 Aug. 2019) - Economic interests of the Myanmar military A/HRC/39/64 (24 Aug. 2018) Oral statements: Statement by the Chairperson at the Human Rights Council (24 Oct 2018) |
2017
| Mandating authority |
High Commissioner for Human Rights |
| Commission/Mission | OHCHR Mission to Bangladesh to interview Rohingyas who had entered Bangladesh from northern Rakhine State (Myanmar) in the aftermath of the 9 October 2016 attacks |
| Mandate | To gather testimonies on events and incidents that had occurred in northern Rakhine State since 9 October, in order to carry out an assessment of potential human rights violations taking place there since then |
| Members of the Mission | OHCHR |
| Reports and related documents | Report of the mission of 3 Feb. 2017 (OHCHR website) |
2009
| Mandating authority |
High Commissioner for Human Rights |
| Commission/Mission | Nepal conflict mapping |
| Mandate | To document and analyse the major categories of conflict-related violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law that allegedly took place in Nepal from February 1996 to 21 November 2006 |
| Members of the Mission | Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights |
| Reports and related documents | Report (2012) available at OHCHR website |
2021
| Mandating authority |
Human Rights Council resolution S-30/1 of 27 May 2021 |
| Commission/Mission | The United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and in Israel (OHCHR web site) |
| Mandate | Human Rights Council to urgently establish an ongoing independent, international commission of inquiry, to be appointed by the President of the Human Rights Council, to investigate in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and in Israel all alleged violations of international humanitarian law and all alleged violations and abuses of international human rights law leading up to and since 13 April 2021, and all underlying root causes of recurrent tensions, instability and protraction of conflict, including systematic discrimination and repression based on national, ethnic, racial or religious identity; Also decided that the commission of inquiry shall: (a) Establish the facts and circumstances that may amount to such violations and abuses and of crimes perpetrated; (b) Collect, consolidate and analyse evidence of such violations and abuses and of crimes perpetrated, and systematically record and preserve all information, documentation and evidence, including interviews, witness testimony and forensic material, in accordance with international law standards, in order to maximize the possibility of its admissibility in legal proceedings; (c) Have the capacity to document and verify relevant information and evidence, including through field engagement and by cooperating with judicial and other entities, as appropriate; (d) Identify, where possible, those responsible, with a view to ensuring that perpetrators of violations are held accountable; (e) Identify patterns of violations over time by analysing the similarities in the findings and recommendations of all United Nations fact-finding missions and commissions of inquiry on the situation; (f) Make recommendations, in particular on accountability measures, all with a view to avoiding and ending impunity and ensuring legal accountability, including individual criminal and command responsibility, for such violations, and justice for victims; (g) Make recommendations on measures to be taken by third States to ensure respect for international humanitarian law in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, in accordance with article 1 common to the Geneva Conventions, and in fulfilment of their obligations under articles 146, 147 and 148 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, including by ensuring that they do not aid or assist in the commission of internationally wrongful acts; (h) Report on its main activities on an annual basis to the Human Rights Council under agenda item 2 as of its fiftieth session, and to the General Assembly as of its seventy-seventh session; |
| Members of the Mission |
Ms. Navy Pillay (South Africa), Mr. Miloon Kothari (India), Mr. Chris Sidoti (Australia) |
| Reports and related documents |
|
2018
| Mandating authority |
Human Rights Council resolution S-28/1 of 18 May 2018 |
| Commission/Mission | The United NationsCommission of Inquiry on the 2018 protests in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OHCHR web site) |
| Mandate | Human Rights Council decides to urgently dispatch an independent, international commission of inquiry, to be appointed by the President of the Human Rights Council, to investigate all alleged violations and abuses of international humanitarian law and international human rights law in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, particularly in the occupied Gaza Strip, in the context of the military assaults on the large-scale civilian protests that began on 30 March 2018, whether before, during or after; to establish the facts and circumstances, with assistance from relevant experts and special procedure mandate holders, of the alleged violations and abuses, including those that may amount to war crimes; to identify those responsible; to make recommendations, in particular on accountability measures, all with a view to avoiding and ending impunity and ensuring legal accountability, including individual criminal and command responsibility, for such violations and abuses, and on protecting civilians against any further assaults; and to present an oral update thereon to the Council at its thirty-ninth session and a final, written report at its fortieth session. |
| Members of the Mission |
Mr. Santiago Canton (Argentina) Chair, Ms. Sara Hossain (Bangladesh), Ms. Kaari Betty Murungi (Kenya) Former member: |
| Reports and related documents |
Report A/HRC/40/CPR.2 (18 Mar. 2019) |
2014
| Mandating authority |
Human Rights Council resolution S-21/1 of 23 July 2014 (in A/69/53, pp. 224-227) |
| Commission/Mission | The United Nations Independent Commission of Inquiry on the 2014 Gaza Conflict (OHCHR web site) |
| Mandate | Human Rights Council decides to urgently dispatch an independent, international commission of inquiry, to be appointed by the President of the Human Rights Council, to investigate all violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, particularly in the occupied Gaza Strip, in the context of the military operations conducted since 13 June 2014, whether before, during or after, to establish the facts and circumstances of such violations and of the crimes perpetrated and to identify those responsible, to make recommendations, in particular on accountability measures, all with a view to avoiding and ending impunity and ensuring that those responsible are held accountable, and on ways and means to protect civilians against any further assaults, and to report to the Council at its twenty-eighth session |
| Members of the Mission |
Ms Mary McGowan Davis (United States of America), Chair; Mr. Doudou Diène (Senegal) William Schabas (Canada) (former Commissioner, Chair; resigned 2 February 2015) |
| Reports and related documents | Report A/HRC/29/52 of 24 June 2015; Detailed findings A/HRC/29/CRP.4 of 24 June 2015 |
2012
| Mandating authority |
Human Rights Council resolution 19/17 of 22 Mar. 2012 (in A/67/53, pp. 50-53) |
| Commission/Mission | Independent international fact-finding mission to investigate the implications of the Israeli settlements on the civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights of the Palestinian people throughout the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem |
| Mandate | Human Rights Council decides to dispatch an independent international fact-finding mission, to be appointed by the President of the Human Rights Council, to investigate the implications of the Israeli settlements on the civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights of the Palestinian people throughout the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, with a mandate ending on submission of a report to the Council, and calls upon Israel, the occupying Power, not to obstruct the process of investigation and to cooperate fully with the mission |
| Members of the Mission | Ms Christine CHANET (France) Chair, Ms Asma JAHANGIR (Pakistan), Ms Unity DOW (Botswana) |
| Reports and related documents | Report A/HRC/22/63 of 7 Feb. 2013 |
2010
| Mandating authority |
Human Rights Council resolutions 13/9 of 25 Mar. 2010 (in A/65/53, pp.101-103); 15/6 of 29 Sep. 2010 (in A/65/53/Add.1, pp. 24-27) |
| Commission/Mission | Committee of independent experts to monitor and assess any domestic, legal or other proceedings undertaken by both the Government of Israel and the Palestinian side |
| Mandate |
Human Rights Council decides, in the context of the follow-up to the report of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission, to establish a committee of independent experts in international humanitarian and human rights laws to monitor and assess any domestic, legal or other proceedings undertaken by both the Government of Israel and the Palestinian side, in the light of General Assembly resolution 64/254, including the independence, effectiveness, genuineness of these investigations and their conformity with international standards (resolution 13/9) Human Rights Council decides to renew and resume the mandate of the Committee of independent experts, established pursuant to Council resolution 13/9 (resolution 15/6) |
| Members of the Mission |
Mr. Christian TOMUSCHAT (Germany), Chair; Ms Mary McGowan DAVIS (USA), Mr. Param CUMARASWAMY (Malaysia) (under resolution 13/9) |
| Reports and related documents |
Reports A/HRC/15/50 of 23 Sep. 2010, A/HRC/16/24 of 5 May 2011 |
2010
| Mandating authority |
Human Rights Council resolution 14/1 of 2 June 2010 (in A/65/53, pp. 160-161) |
| Commission/Mission | International fact-finding mission to investigate violations of international law, including international humanitarian and human rights law, resulting from the Israeli attacks on the flotilla of ships carrying humanitarian assistance to Gaza |
| Mandate | Human Rights Council decides to dispatch an independent, international fact-finding mission to investigate violations of international law, including international humanitarian and human rights law, resulting from the Israeli attacks on the flotilla of ships carrying humanitarian assistance |
| Members of the Mission | JMr. Karl T. HUDSON-PHILLIPS, (Chair, Trinidad and Tobago), Mr. Desmond DE SILVA (UK) and Ms. Mary Shanthi DAIRIAM (Malaysia) |
| Reports and related documents | Report A/HRC/15/21 of 27 Sep. 2010 |
2009
| Mandating authority |
Human Rights Council resolution S-9/1 of 12 Jan. 2009 (in A/64/53, pp. 153-156) |
| Commission/Mission | UN Fact-finding mission on the Gaza conflict |
| Mandate | Human Rights Council decides to dispatch an urgent, independent international fact-finding mission, to be appointed by the President of the Council, to investigate all violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law by the occupying Power, Israel, against the Palestinian people throughout the Occupied Palestinian Territory, particularly in the occupied Gaza Strip, due to the current aggression, and calls upon Israel not to obstruct the process of investigation and to fully cooperate with the mission |
| Members of the Mission | Mr. Richard GOLDSTONE (South Africa), Chair; Ms Christine CHINKIN (UK), Ms. Hina JILANI ( Pakistan) and Mr. Desmond TRAVERS, (Ireland) |
| Reports and related documents | Report A/HRC/12/48 of 25 Sep. 2009 |
2006
| Mandating authority |
Human Rights Council resolution S-3/1 of 15 Nov. 2006 (in A/62/53, pp. 85-86) |
| Commission/Mission | High-level fact-finding mission to Beit Hanoun |
| Mandate | Human Rights Council decides to dispatch urgently a high-level fact-finding mission, to be appointed by the President of the Human Rights Council, to travel to Beit Hanoun to, inter alia: (a) assess the situation of victims; (b) address the needs of survivors; and (c) make recommendations on ways and means to protect Palestinian civilians against any further Israeli assaults |
| Members of the Mission | Mr. Desmond TUTU (South Africa), Head, Ms Christine CHINKIN (UK) |
| Reports and related documents | Reports A/HRC/5/20 of 18 June 2007 and A/HRC/9/26 of 1 Sep. 2008 |
2000
| Mandating authority |
Commission on Human Rights resolution S-5/1 of 19 Oct. 2000 (in E/2000/112, pp. 4-7) |
| Commission/Mission | Commission of inquiry to gather and compile information on violations of human rights and acts which constitute grave breaches of international humanitarian law by the Israeli occupying Power in the occupied Palestinian territories |
| Mandate | Commission on Human Rights decides to establish, on an urgent basis, a human rights inquiry commission, whose membership should be based on the principles of independence and objectivity, to gather and compile information on violations of human rights and acts which constitute grave breaches of international humanitarian law by the Israeli occupying Power in the occupied Palestinian territories and to provide the Commission with its conclusions and recommendations, with the aim of preventing the repetition of the recent human rights violations |
| Members of the Mission | Mr. John DUGARD (South Africa), Chair; Mr. Kamal HOSSAIN (Bangladesh), Mr. Richard FALK (USA) |
|
Reports and related documents |
Report E/CN.4/2001/121 of 16 Mar. 2001 |
1979
| Mandating authority |
Security Council resolutions 446 (1979) of 22 Mar. 1979, 452(4979) of 20 July 1979, 465 (1980) of 1 Mar. 1980 |
| Commission/Mission | Security Council Commission concerning Israeli settlements in Arab territories occupied since 1967, including Jerusalem |
| Mandate | Security Council establishes a commission of three members of the Security Council, to be appointed by the President of the Security Council after consultation with themembers of the Council, to examine the situation relating to settlements in the Arab territories occupied since 1967, including Jerusalem |
| Members of the Mission | Portugal (Chairman), Bolivia and Zambia |
| Reports and related documents |
Reports S/13450 of 12 July 1979, S/13679 of 4 Dec. 1979, S/14268 of 25 Nov. 1980 |
2014
| Mandating authority |
Human Rights Council resolution 25/1 of 9 Apr. 2014 (in A/69/53, pp. 14-17) |
| Commission/Mission | OHCHR investigation on Sri-Lanka (OHCHR web site) |
| Mandate | Human Rights Council takes note of the recommendations and conclusions of the High Commissioner regarding ongoing human rights violations and the need for an international inquiry mechanism in the absence of a credible national process with tangible results, and requests the Office of the High Commissioner to undertake a comprehensive investigation into alleged serious violations and abuses of human rights and related crimes by both parties in Sri Lanka during the period covered by the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission, and to establish the facts and circumstances of such alleged violations and of the crimes perpetrated with a view to avoiding impunity and ensuring accountability, with assistance from relevant experts and special procedures mandate holders |
| Members of the Mission |
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights * Three distinguished experts were invited by the High Commissioner to play a supportive and advisory role to the investigation: |
| Reports and related documents |
Reports A/HRC/30/61 of 28 Sep. 2015 , A/HRC/30/CRP.2 (Advance version) |
2010
| Mandating authority |
UN Secretary-General,SG/SM/12967 of 22 June 2010 |
| Commission/Mission | Secretary-General's Panel of experts on accountability in Sri Lanka |
| Mandate | To advise the Secretary-General on the implementation of the commitment on human rights accountability made in the Joint Statement issued by President [Mahinda] Rajapaksa of Sri Lanka and the Secretary-General during the latter’s visit to Sri Lanka in May 2009To look into the modalities, applicable international standards and comparative experience with regard to accountability processes, taking into account the nature and scope of any alleged violations in Sri Lanka. To be available as a resource to Sri Lankan authorities should they wish to avail themselves of its expertise in implementing the commitment. |
| Members of the Mission |
Mr. Marzuki DARUSMAN (Indonesia) Chair, Ms. Yasmin SOOKA (South Africa), Mr. Steven R.RATNER (USA) |
| Reports and related documents | Report of 31 Mar. 2011 |
2017
| Mandating authority |
Human Rights Council resolutions 34/26 of 24 Mar 2017, 43/28 of 22 June 2020, 45/21 of 6 Oct. 2020 |
| Commissions/Missions | Independent international commission of inquiry on Syrian Arab Republic (OHCHR web site) |
| Mandate | Human Rights Council requested the Commission of Inquiry to provide an oral update to the Human Rights Council during an interactive dialogue at its thirty-fifth session, and to present a written updated report during an interactive dialogue at the thirty-sixth and thirty-seventh sessions |
| Members of the Mission |
Former commissioners: |
| Reports and related documents |
Reports: A/HRC/46/55 - Detention report (11 Mar. 2021), A/HRC/46/54 (28 Jan. 2020), A/HRC/45/31 (14 Aug. 2020), A/HRC/44/61 (3 Sept. 2020). A/HRC/43/57 (28 Jan. 2020), A/HRC/42/51 (15 Aug. 2019), A/HRC/40/70 (31 Jan 2019), A/HRC/39/65 (9 Aug 2018), A/HRC/37/72 (1 Feb. 2018) A/HRC/36/55 of 8 Aug 2017, A/HRC/34/64 of 2 Feb 2017, A/HRC/33/55 of 11 Aug. 2016, A/HRC/31/68 of 22 Feb. 2016, A/HRC/30/48 of 13 Aug. 2015, A/HRC/28/69 of 5 Feb. 2015, A/HRC/27/60 of 13 Aug. 2014, A/HRC/25/65 of 12 Feb. 2014, A/HRC/24/46 of 16 Aug. 2013, A/HRC/23/58 of 18 July 2013, A/HRC/22/59 of 5 Feb. 2013, A/HRC/21/50 of 16 Aug. 2012, A/HRC/19/69 of 22 Feb. 2012, A/HRC/S-17/2/Add.1 of 23 Nov. 2011 Oral updates and conference room papers of the Commission: A/HRC/38/CRP.3 (20 June 2018), A/HRC/37/CRP.3 (8 Mar. 2018) A/HRC/34/CRP.3 (10 Mar. 2017), A/HRC/32/CRP.2 of 16 June 2016 (Advance version), A/HRC/29/CRP.3 of 23 June 2015, Update of 17 Mar. 2015, A/HRC/27/CRP.3 of 19 Nov. 2014, A/HRC/27/CRP.1 of 16 Sept. 2014, A/HRC/26/CRP.2 of 16 June 2014, Oral update of 18 Mar. 2014, Conference room paper of 19 Dec. 2013, A/HRC/22/CRP.1 of 11 Mar. 2013, Periodic update of 20 Dec. 2012, A/HRC/24/CRP.2 of 13 Sept. 2012, A/HRC/20/CRP.1 of 26 June 2012, Periodic update of 24 May 2012, Update of 16 Apr. 2012 Chemical weapons' attacks documented by the Commission - Infographic (as of Sept. 2017) |
2016
| Mandating authority |
Human Rights Council resolution S-25/1 of 21 Oct. 2016 |
| Commissions/Missions | Independent international commission of inquiry on Syrian Arab Republic (OHCHR web site) |
| Mandate | Human Rights Council requested the Commission of Inquiry to, consistent with its mandate, conduct a comprehensive, independent special inquiry into the events in Aleppo, to, where possible, identify all those for whom there are reasonable grounds to believe that they are responsible for alleged violations and abuses of international human rights law, and to support efforts to ensure that perpetrators of alleged abuses and violations are held accountable, and also requests the Commission to provide a full report of the findings of its special inquiry to the Human Rights Council no later than its thirty-fourth session |
| Members of the Mission |
Mr. Paulo Sérgio PINHEIRO (Chairperson, Brazil), Ms Karen Koning ABUZAYD (USA), Ms Carla DEL PONTE (Switzerland) (resigned: Press-release of 6 Aug. 2017) |
| Reports and related documents |
See the current year for Syria |
| Mandating authority |
Human Rights Council resolution 31/17 of 23 Mar. 2016 |
| Commissions/Missions | Independent international commission of inquiry on Syrian Arab Republic (OHCHR web site) |
| Mandate | Human Rights Council decides to extend for one year the mandate of the Commission of Inquiry, established by the Human Rights Council in its resolution S-17/1 of 23 August 2011, to investigate all alleged violations and abuses of international human rights law since March 2011 in the Syrian Arab Republic, to establish the facts and circumstances and to support efforts to ensure that perpetrators of abuses and violations, including those who may be responsible for crimes against humanity, are held accountable |
| Members of the Mission | Mr. Paulo Sérgio PINHEIRO (Chairperson, Brazil), Ms Karen Koning ABUZAYD (USA), Ms Carla DEL PONTE (Switzerland) and Mr. Vitit MUNTARBHORN (Thailand) |
| Reports and related documents |
See the current year for Syria |
2015
| Mandating authority |
Human Rights Council resolution 28/20 of 27 Mar. 2015 (in A/70/53, pp. 13-17) |
| Commissions/Missions | Independent international commission of inquiry on Syrian Arab Republic (OHCHR web site) |
| Mandate | Human Rights Council decides to extend for one year the mandate of the Commission of Inquiry, established by the Human Rights Council in its resolution S-17/1 of 23 August 2011, to investigate all alleged violations of international human rights law since March 2011 in the Syrian Arab Republic, to establish the facts and circumstances that may amount to such violations and of the crimes perpetrated and, where possible, to identify those responsible with a view to ensuring that perpetrators of violations, including those that may constitute crimes against humanity, are held accountable |
| Members of the Mission | Mr. Paulo Sérgio PINHEIRO (Chairperson, Brazil), Ms Karen Koning ABUZAYD (USA), Ms Carla DEL PONTE (Switzerland) and Mr. Vitit MUNTARBHORN (Thailand) |
| Reports and related documents |
See the current year for Syria |
2014
| Mandating authority |
Human Rights Council resolution 25/23 of 28 Mar. 2014 (in A/69/53, pp. 190-194) |
| Commissions/Missions | Independent international commission of inquiry on Syrian Arab Republic (OHCHR web site) |
| Mandate | Human Rights Council decides to extend the mandate of the commission of inquiry through to the twenty-eighth session of the Human Rights Council |
| Members of the Mission | Mr. Paulo Sérgio PINHEIRO (Chairperson, Brazil), Ms Karen Koning ABUZAYD (USA), Ms Carla DEL PONTE (Switzerland) and Mr. Vitit MUNTARBHORN (Thailand) |
| Reports and related documents | See the current year for Syria |
2013
| Mandating authority |
Human Rights Council resolution 23/1 of 29 May 2013 (in A/68/53, pp. 122-123) |
| Commissions/Missions | Independent international commission of inquiry on Syrian Arab Republic (OHCHR web site) |
| Mandate | Human Rights Council requests the commission of inquiry to urgently conduct a comprehensive, independent and unfettered inquiry into the events in Al Qusayr, and also requests the commission to include the findings of the inquiry in its report to the Human Rights Council at its twenty-fourth session |
| Members of the Mission | Mr. Paulo Sérgio PINHEIRO (Chairperson, Brazil), Ms Karen Koning ABUZAYD (USA), Ms Carla DEL PONTE (Switzerland) and Mr. Vitit MUNTARBHORN (Thailand) |
| Reports and related documents | See the current year for Syria |
| Mandating authority |
Human Rights Council resolution 22/24 of 22 Mar. 2013 (in A/68/53, pp. 76-81) |
| Commissions/Missions | Independent international commission of inquiry on Syrian Arab Republic (OHCHR web site) |
| Mandate | Human Rights Council decides to extend the mandate of the independent international commission of inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic established by the Human Rights Council in its resolution S-17/1 to investigate all alleged violations of international human rights law since March 2011 in the Syrian Arab Republic, including massacres, to establish the facts and circumstances that may amount to such violations and of the crimes perpetrated and, where possible, to identify those responsible with a view of ensuring that perpetrators of violations, including those that may constitute crimes against humanity, are held accountable |
| Members of the Mission | Mr. Paulo Sérgio PINHEIRO (Chairperson, Brazil), Ms Karen Koning ABUZAYD (USA), Ms Carla DEL PONTE (Switzerland) and Mr. Vitit MUNTARBHORN (Thailand) |
| Reports and related documents | See the current year for Syria |
2012
| Mandating authority |
Human Rights Council resolution 21/26 of 28 Sep. 2012 (in A/67/53/Add.1, pp. 67-70) |
| Commissions/Missions | Independent international commission of inquiry on Syrian Arab Republic (OHCHR web site) |
| Mandate | Human Rights Council decides to extend the mandate of the independent international commission of inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic established by the Human Rights Council in its resolution S-17/1 |
| Members of the Mission | Mr. Paulo Sérgio PINHEIRO (Chairperson, Brazil), Ms Karen Koning ABUZAYD (USA), Ms Carla DEL PONTE (Switzerland) and Mr. Vitit MUNTARBHORN (Thailand) The latter two members joined the commission for the period of its current mandate. |
| Reports and related documents | See the current year for Syria |
2012
| Mandating authority |
Human Rights Council resolution 19/22 of 23 Mar. 2012 (in A/67/53, pp. 62-66) |
| Commission/Mission | Independent international commission of inquiry on Syrian Arab Republic (OHCHR web site) |
| Mandate | Human Rights Council: decides to extend the mandate of the commission of inquiry established by the Human Rights Council in its resolution S-17/1, and requests the commission to continue its work, to provide an oral update to the Council at an interactive dialogue at its twentieth session and to present also a written updated report at an interactive dialogue at its twenty-first session; requests the commission of inquiry to conduct and continuously update a mapping exercise of gross violations of human rights since March 2011, including an assessment of casualty figures, and to publish it periodically |
| Members of the Mission | Mr. Paulo Sérgio PINHEIRO (Chairperson, Brazil), Ms Karen Koning ABUZAYD (USA) Ms Yakin ERTÜRK (Turkey) withdrew in March 2012 |
| Reports and related documents | See the current year for Syria |
2011
| Mandating authority |
Human Rights Council resolution S-17/1 of 23 Aug. 2011 (in A/66/53, pp. 29-31) |
| Commission/Mission | Independent international commission of inquiry on Syrian Arab Republic (OHCHR web site) |
| Mandate | Human Rights Council decides to dispatch urgently an independent international commission of inquiry, to be appointed by the President of the Human Rights Council, to investigate all alleged violations of international human rights law since March 2011 in the Syrian Arab Republic, to establish the facts and circumstances that may amount to such violations and of the crimes perpetrated and, where possible, to identify those responsible with a view to ensuring that perpetrators of violations, including those that may constitute crimes against humanity, are held accountable |
| Members of the Mission | Mr. Paulo PINHEIRO (Chairperson, BRAZIL), Ms Yakin ERTÜRK (Turkey) and Ms Karen Koning ABUZAYD (USA) |
| Reports and related documents | See the current year for Syria |
2011
| Mandating authority |
Human Rights Council resolution S-16/1 of 29 Apr. 2011 (in A/66/53, p. 27-29) |
| Commission/Mission | OHCHR Fact-finding mission to the Syrian Arab Republic |
| Mandate | Human Rights Council requests the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to dispatch urgently a mission to the Syrian Arab Republic to investigate all alleged violations of international human rights law and to establish the facts and circumstances of such violations and of the crimes perpetrated, with a view to avoiding impunity and ensuring full accountability, and to provide a preliminary report and oral update on the situation of human rights in the Syrian Arab Republic to the Human Rights Council at its seventeenth session, and to submit a follow-up report to the Council at its eighteenth session |
| Members of the Mission | Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights |
| Reports and related documents | Report A/HRC/18/53 of 15 Sep. 2011 |
2016
| Mandating authority |
General Assembly resolution 71/248 of 21 Dec. 2016 |
| Title | International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism to assist in the Investigation and Prosecution of those Responsible for the Most Serious Crimes under International Law committed in the Syrian Arab Republic since March 2011 |
| Mandate | The Mechanism assists in the investigation and prosecution of the most serious crimes under international law, in particular the crime of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes, as defined in relevant sources of international law. Pursuant to paragraph 4 of resolution 71/248, the mandate of the Mechanism encompasses two main tasks: to collect, consolidate, preserve and analyse evidence of violations of international humanitarian law and human rights violations and abuses; and to prepare files in order to facilitate and expedite fair and independent criminal proceedings, in accordance with international law standards, in national, regional or international courts or tribunals that have or may in the future have jurisdiction over these crimes, in accordance with international law. (See Terms of Reference in A/71/755 (Annex)) |
| Head of the IIIM | Catherine Marchi-Uhel (France) Press-release (3 July 2017) |
| Reports and related documents | OHCHR press-release (27 Feb. 2017) |
2006
| Mandating authority |
UN Secretary-General upon request of Minister for Foreign Affairs of Timor-Leste, S/2006/383 |
| Commissions/Missions | Independent special commission of Inquiry for Timor-Leste |
| Mandate | To establish the facts and circumstances relevant to incidents that took place on 28 and 29 April and 23, 24 and 25 May and related events or issues that contributed to the crisis, clarify responsibility for those events and recommend measures of accountability for crimes and serious violations of human rights allegedly committed during the mandated period |
| Members of the Mission |
Mr. Paulo Sérgio PINHEIRO (Brazil), Chair; Ms. Zelda HOLTZMAN (South Africa), Mr. Ralph ZACKLIN (UK) |
| Reports and related documents | Not published as an UN official document. Available online: Report of the UN Independent Special Commission of Inquiry for Timor-Leste of 2 Oct. 2006. |
1999
| Mandating authority |
Commission on Human Rights resolution S-4/1 of 27 Sep. 1999 (in E/1999/23/Add.1, pp. 4-8) |
| Commissions/Missions | International Commission of Inquiry on East Timor |
| Mandate | Commission on Human Rights calls upon the Secretary-General to establish an international commission of inquiry, with adequate representation of Asian experts, in order, in cooperation with the Indonesian National Commission on Human Rights and thematic rapporteurs, to gather and compile systematically information on possible violations of human rights and acts which may constitute breaches of international humanitarian law committed in East Timor since the announcement in January 1999 of the vote and to provide the Secretary-General with its conclusions with a view to enabling him to make recommendations on future actions, and to make the report of the international commission of inquiry available to the Security Council, the General Assembly and the Commission at its fifty-sixth session |
| Members of the Mission | Ms. Sonia PICADO (Costa Rica), Chair; Ms. Judith SEFI ATTAH (Nigeria), Justice A.M. AHMADI (India), Mr Mari KAPI (Papua New Guinea), Ms. Sabine LEUTHEUSSER-SCHNARRENBERGEN (Germany) |
| Reports and related documents | Report A/54/726-S/2000/59 of 31 Jan. 2000 |
2005
| Mandating authority |
High Commissioner for Human Rights |
| Commission/Mission | OHCHR mission to Kyrgyzstan to investigate serious violations of human rights in Andijan, Uzbekistan in May 2005 |
| Mandate | To gather information from eyewitnesses and others having credible knowledge of the events in and around the city of Andijan, Uzbekistan, since 12 May 2005 with regard to the alleged serious violations of human rights which took place during that time |
| Members of the Mission | Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights |
| Reports and related documents | Report E/CN.4/2006/119 of 1 Feb. 2006 |
1963
| Mandating authority |
General Assembly at the request of the Government of Vietnam A/PV.1239 of 11 Oct. 1963. See paragraphs 170-174 on page 18. |
| Commission/Mission | UN Fact-finding mission to South Viet-Nam to ascertain the facts of the situation in that country as regards relations between the Government of the Republic of Viet-Nam and the Viet-Namese Buddhist community |
| Mandate |
The President of the General Assembly made the following announcement to the General Assembly: In accordance with the authorization given me by the General Assembly at its 1234th plenary meeting to act on the basis of the letterdated 4 October 1963 from the Head of the Special Mission of the Republic of Viet-Nam conveying the invitation of his Government to have the representatives of several Member States visit Viet-Nam in the near future, I have appointed a mission consisting of the representatives of the following Member States: Afghanistan, Brazil, Ceylon, Costa Rica, Dahomey, Morocco and Nepal |
| Members of the Mission | Mr. Abdul Rahman Pazhwak, Chairman (Afghanistan), Mr. Sergio Correa Da Costa (Brazil), Mr. Senerat Gunewardene (Ceylon), Mr. Fernando Volic Jiménez (Costa Rica), Mr. Louis Ignacio-Pinto (Dahomey, presently Benin), Mr. Ahmed Taibi Benhirna (Morocco) and Mr. Matrika Prasad Koirala (Nepal) |
| Reports and related documents | Report A/5630 of 7 Dec. 1963 |
2017
| Mandating authority |
Human Rights Council resolution 36/31 of 29 Sept. 2017; mandate renewed by resolutions 39/16, 42/2, 45/15 |
| Commission/Mission | Group of Eminent Experts on Yemen (OHCHR website) |
| Mandate |
Human Rights Council decided to renew the mandate of the Group of Eminent International and Regional Experts for a further period of one year, renewable as authorized by the Human Rights Council, as follows: |
| Members of the Mission | Mr. Kamel JENDOUBI (Tunisia), Chairperson, Ms. Melissa PARKE (Australia), Mr. Ardi Imseis (Canada) Former members: Mr. Charles GARRAWAY (United Kingdom) |
| Reports and related documents |
Conference room papers: Reports: |
