Introduction - Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights

The mandate of UN Special Rapporteur on extrme poverty and human rights was established to evaluate the relationship between the enjoyment of human rights and extreme poverty. The expert is required by the Human Rights Council to examine and report back to member States on initiatives taken to promote and protect the rights of those living in extreme poverty.

Objectives of the mandate

Through its resolution 8/11, the Human Rights Council requests the Special Rapporteur to:

• Identify approaches for removing all obstacles, including institutional ones, to the full enjoyment of human rights for people living in extreme poverty and to identify efficient measures to promote their rights.
• Make recommendations on how persons living in extreme poverty can participate in the definition of measures affecting them.
• Study the impact of discrimination and to pay particular attention to the situation of women, children and other vulnerable groups, including persons with disabilities living in extreme poverty.
• Participate in the assessment of the implementation of the Second United Nations Decade for the Eradication of Poverty and to submit recommendations on the realization of Millennium Development Goals, in particular the first goal.
• Develop cooperation with United Nations bodies dealing with the same subject and to continue participating in relevant international conferences on extreme poverty.  

Main activities

In the fulfillment of the mandate, the Special Rapporteur:

Undertakes country visits;

• Responds to information received concerning the human rights situation of people living in extreme poverty;
• Develops constructive dialogue with Governments, international organizations, civil society and other relevant actors with a view to identifying ways to remove all obstacles to the full enjoyment of human rights for people living in extreme poverty .
• Submits annual reports to the Human Rights Council and to the General Assembly on the activities of the mandate.