UN human rights mechanisms: Essential guides & resources
This page is the starting point for understanding how the United Nations human rights system works.
It gathers key introductory resources on the Human Rights Council, the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), Special Procedures, Treaty Bodies, and the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), including info booklets, briefing notes, infographics, review calendars, country documentation, and technical guidelines for NGO submissions.
Once you know the basics, continue to our in-depth reports and guides for detailed analysis and advocacy support. Many resources are available in several languages.
Human Rights Council
- About the Human Rights Council in English | in Spanish | in French
- Information booklet in English | in Spanish | in French
- Infographic with key facts in English | in Spanish | in French | in Arabic | in Russian | in Chinese
- Human Rights Council annual report in English | in Spanish | in French | in Arabic | in Chinese | in Russian
Universal Periodic Review
- About the UPR in English | in Spanish | in French
- List of countries under review in English | in Spanish | in French | in Arabic | in Russian | in Chinese
- Documentation by country in English | in Spanish | in French | in Arabic | in Russian | in Chinese
- Technical guidelines for NGO submissions in English | in Arabic | in Russian | in Chinese
- Recommendations on SOGI issues of each UPR session: information available here
Commission on the Status of Women (CSW)
- About the CSW in English | in Spanish | in French
- Modalities of NGO participation in English | in Spanish | in French
- Communications procedures on alleged human rights violations in English | in Spanish | in French
- Outcomes of sessions: information available here
Treaty Bodies
- About the treaty bodies in English | in Spanish | in French
- Factsheet in English | in Spanish | in French | in Arabic | in Russian | in Chinese
- Calendar of country reviews in English | in Spanish | in French
- Treaty bodies database in English | in Spanish | in French
Special Procedures
- About special procedures in English | in Spanish | in French
- Thematic and country mandates
- Which mandate holder is travelling where? Check the calendar in English | in Spanish | in French
- How to submit human rights complaints to Special Procedures in English | in Spanish | in French
- Addressing acts of intimidation and reprisal for cooperation with the Special Procedures in English | in Spanish | in French
More reports: