The term of the current mandate-holder, Martin Scheinin, expires this year and his successor will be appointed at the June session of the Human Rights Council. While Alkarama will not be putting forward any names, we encourage you to circulate this information to any suitable applicants. Although the candidate may not need to meet each and every specification, they should meet a substantial number. Please note that it is in the candidate's interest to have the backing of a government in going through this process.

Candidates for the Special Procedure vacancies need to submit an application to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights for inclusion on a public roster. The deadlines for candidates to do so is Monday, 14 March 2011. Candidates should follow instructions on how to submit their application here.

The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights keeps a roster of names of those who apply. Eligible candidates for vacancies are then taken from this list and sent to a 5-person "Consultative Group", composed of Ambassadors from each UN regional group acting in their personal capacity. This Consultative Group reviews potential candidates and sends a list of possible candidates to the President of the Human Rights Council, who makes the final decision. Further details on the information provided above is contained in Human Rights Council Decision 5/1 and can also be viewed on the OHCHR website (at the link above).