Joint Statement on the Promotion of Universality of

the Standing Invitations to Special Procedures

60^th session of the Human Rights Council

Item 5. Human rights bodies and mechanisms

General debate

25 September 2025

Mr President,

I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of countries.

We, the States subscribing to this statement and representing different regional and legal traditions, are united by our decision to extend standing invitations to special procedures mandate holders of the Human Rights Council and our commitment to honour them.

We commend the efforts of many States to foster or deepen cooperation with mandate holders, and encourage all States to engage in an open and meaningful dialogue with them - human rights and the United Nations human rights mechanisms belong to us all.

We remain concerned about ongoing acts of intimidation, reprisals and personal attacks against mandate holders, and the negative impact of the United Nation’s liquidity crisis on the work of mandate holders, especially by limiting their country visits. We urge all States to respect independence of mandate holders, to develop constructive cooperation with them, thereby advancing the effectiveness and credibility of the human rights system.

Despite the challenges, special procedures mandate holders remain at the forefront of the human rights response in diverse international contexts. Their efforts play a vital role in facilitating national and international debate on human rights issues, providing unique expertise on cross-cutting issues and contributing significantly to the mainstreaming of human rights across all levels.

We note with appreciation that, since the launch of the initiative on promotion of universality of the standing invitations to special procedures in 2003, 129 UN Members and Observers have extended such invitations.

Whilst recognising that the commitment to receive special procedures is voluntary, we continue to encourage all States that have not done so to extend a standing invitation to the Council’s mechanisms and to pursue genuine cooperation with mandate holders.

I thank you!