Introduction
United Nations mandated commissions of inquiry, fact-finding missions and investigations are increasingly being used to respond to situations of serious violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law, whether protracted or resulting from sudden events, and to promote accountability for such violations and counter impunity. These international investigative bodies have been established by the Security Council, the General Assembly, the Human Rights Council, its predecessor, the Commission on Human Rights, the Secretary-General and the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
As part of its core work, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) provides expertise and support to commissions and missions established by UN bodies, and carries out missions under the mandate of the High Commissioner for Human Rights or at the request of other bodies. OHCHR work includes developing guidance and tools for the operation of commissions and missions, advising on mandate development, investigation methodology and applicable international law, setting up secretariats with specialist staff, providing administrative, logistical and security support, providing briefing and training to members and staff, undertaking reviews and lessons learned exercises. Since 1992, OHCHR has provided support to and deployed close to 50 commissions and missions.
The Research Guide accessible on the left-hand side provides key information on international commissions of inquiry and fact-finding missions and other investigations established by the United Nations to gather information, analyze and report on violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law, including: mandating authority, mandate, members, key dates and links to related resolutions and reports.
LATEST NEWS
UN human rights experts call for crimes in South Sudan conflict to be investigated by independent international body
17 February 2017
South Sudan: Senior UN human rights official condemns deplorable rights situation, calls for perpetrators to be held to account
17 February 2017
Press briefing notes on Aleppo, Syria
13 December 2016
UN human rights experts to visit South Sudan
7 September 2016
Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic As peace talks stall, violence soars once again in Syria – New UN report
6 September 2016
Statement by the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic on the urgent need to protect civilians living amidst on-going attacks on Aleppo city
16 August 2016
UN expert urges action to protect millions living in besieged and hard to reach areas in Syria
4 August 2016
Press briefing note on Syria and France
15 July 2016
At least 200,000 civilians in dire straits as noose tightens in three Syrian towns – Zeid
15 July 2016
Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in Eritrea welcomes strong resolution on Human Rights in Eritrea
4 July 2016
More news...
LATEST REPORTS
Report of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic (A/HRC/33/55), 11 August 2016
English
Report of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic: “They came to destroy”: ISIS Crimes Against the Yazidis (A/HRC/32/CRP.2)
English (Advance version)
Report of the commission of inquiry on human rights in Eritrea, 9 May 2016 (A/HRC/32/47)
English
Detailed findings of the commission of inquiry on human rights in Eritrea, 8 June 2016 (A/HRC/32/CRP.1)
English
Assessment mission by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to improve human rights, accountability, reconciliation and capacity in South Sudan (A/HRC/31/49)
English
Assessment mission by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to improve human rights, accountability, reconciliation and capacity in South Sudan: detailed findings (A/HRC/31/CRP.6)
English
Report of the OHCHR Investigation mission to Libya
English
Report of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic (Advance Edited Version)
English
Thematic Report: "Out of Sight, Out of Mind: Deaths in Detention in the Syrian Arab Republic"
English and
Arabic
Report of the Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in Eritrea
10th Report of Commission of Inquiry on Syria
Report of the Commission of Inquiry on the 2014 Gaza Conflict
Report of OHCHR Investigation on Sri Lanka