The Independent Expert on Haiti was appointed by the
Human Rights Council.
The mandate was part of the
Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council, the largest body of independent experts in the UN Human Rights system.
The Independent Expert served voluntarily and independently of any government or organization. He was not United Nations staff. The
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights provided the mandate with logistical and technical assistance. The mandate of the Independent Expert was discontinued in March 2017 (A/HRC/34/L.43)
M. Gustavo Gallón,
Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Haiti.
© OHCHR/Gustavo Gallón
Mr. Gustavo Gallón (Colombia) was the last Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Haiti.
Overview of the mandate
In 1995, the Commission on Human Rights adopted the Resolution 1995/70, which established the mandate of an Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Haiti. The Resolution 1995/70 requested the Secretary-General to appoint an Independent Expert to provide assistance to the Government of Haiti in the area of human rights, to examine the development of the situation of human rights in Haiti and to monitor the fulfilment by Haiti of its obligations in this field. The mandate has changed over the years to respond to the evolving situation in the country and lastly it included a focus on technical assistance and capacity-building. It was discontinued in March 2017.
