Promoting International Human Rights Standards

SRSG Zahir Tanin welcomes Mr. Nils Melzer, the UN Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, to UNMIK.

The UNMIK Human Rights Section, in line with UNSCR 1244, facilitates interaction between local actors and United Nations and European human rights mechanisms through continuous interactions with Kosovo’s institutions in coordination with other international organisations, such as the EU, OSCE, and the Council of Europe.

Recently, UNMIK Human Rights Section facilitated local actors’ engagement with the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council, specifically with the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment and the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances.

On 28 February 2019, the Special Rapporteur (SR) on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, Niels Melzer, presented the report on his 2017 visit to Serbia and Kosovo at the 40th session of the Human Rights Council. In keeping with its core mandate, UNMIK’s Human Rights Section actively supported the visit in 2017 by preparing briefing notes, liaising with authorities and conducting necessary follow-ups.

UNMIK Human Rights Section also facilitated local actors’ engagement related to the implementation of the Council of Europe’s Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities as well as their interaction with the Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.

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