Second Part: Word APPLICATION FORM FOR SPECIAL PROCEDURES
MANDATE HOLDERS
Special Rapporteur on the situation on human rights defenders
How to start the application process:
- The application process has been split into 2 parts, the first part is a Webbased survey and the second part is an application form in word which can be
downloaded, completed and returned by email. Both parts and all sections of
the application form should be filled in for the application to be processed.
The first part, i.e. the Web-based survey is used to collect information for
statistical purposes such as personal data (i.e. name, gender, nationality),
contact details, mandate/s applying for and nominating entity. The webbased survey should only be completed once, i.e. multiple selection
allowed to indicate if the candidate is applying for more than one mandates.
This is the second part, i.e. of the application form in Word which can be
downloaded, completed and saved in word format and then submitted as an
attachment by email. Information provided in this form, includes a motivation
letter of maximum 600 words, will be used as received to prepare the public
list of candidates who applied for each vacancy and will be made available to
concerned parties, including through the OHCHR Internet.
Once completed the application form in Word should be submitted by email to
hrcspecialprocedures@ohchr.org
If the candidate is applying for more than one mandates, an application form
needs to be completed and sent for each mandate.
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A maximum of 3 reference letters can be attached, in pdf format, to the
application sent by email. No additional document is required.
Application Deadline: 31 OCTOBER 2013 (midnight, GMT).
Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed at a later stage.
If encountering technical difficulties, you may contact us by email:
hrcspecialprocedures@ohchr.org or fax: + 41 22 917 9011
An acknowledgment will be sent when we receive both parts of the
application process, i.e. the information through the web-based
survey and the application form through email.
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Second Part: Word APPLICATION FORM FOR SPECIAL PROCEDURES
MANDATE HOLDERS
Special Rapporteur on the situation on human rights defenders
I. PERSONAL DATA
Family Name:
CALLAMARD
First Name:
AGNES
Maiden name (if any):
Middle name:
Sex:
Male
Female
Date of birth ( d-MMM-yy): 14-Mar-63
Place of birth: GRENOBLE, FRANCE
Nationality(please indicate the
nationality that will appear on the public
list of candidates): FRANCE
Any other nationality:
II. MANDATE - SPECIFIC COMPETENCE/QUALIFICATION/KNOWLEDGE
NOTE: Please describe why the candidate’s
competence/qualifications/knowledge is relevant in relation to the
specific mandate:
QUALIFICATIONS (200 words)
Relevant educational
qualifications or equivalent
professional experience in the
field of human rights; good
communication skills (i.e. orally
and in writing) in one of the
official languages of the United
Nations (i.e. Arabic, Chinese,
English, French, Russian,
Spanish.)
I have a doctorate in Political Science, with a focus on
refugee movements, human rights, and international
politics. As part of my education and subsequently
through my professional life, I have researched, and
regularly lectured on, international human rights law
and jurisprudence, including most recently on freedom
of expression and information (FoE/I).
I have published extensively, in English and French, in
academic peer reviewed journals, on human rights,
women’s rights, journalists and HRDS security,
refugee movements and accountability mechanisms.
I have authored or directed 6 volumes, including on
FoE/I global trends and human rights investigation. I
have written reports for audiences ranging from
policy-makers at the UN, NGOs and governments, to
the general public.
I am able to deliver difficult, complex messages in a
succinct, convincing and diplomatic manner in English
and French: I have made representations to the highest
echelons including to Heads of State and to top-level
diplomats, and led human rights messages onto the
negotiating floor of UN expert meetings on such issues
as incitement to hatred, press freedom, and sexual
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Second Part: Word APPLICATION FORM FOR SPECIAL PROCEDURES
MANDATE HOLDERS
Special Rapporteur on the situation on human rights defenders
violence.
I have drafted a large number of press statements and
given a range of press, radio and television interviews
on human rights violations.
RELEVANT EXPERTISE (200
words)
Knowledge of international
human rights instruments,
norms and principles. (Please
state how this was acquired).
Knowledge of institutional
mandates related to the United
Nations or other international or
regional organizations’ work in
the area of human rights.
(Please state how this was
acquired).
Proven work experience in the
field of human rights. (Please
state years of experience.
I bring an in-depth knowledge of international and
regional human rights standards and jurisprudence,
with a particular expertise on FoE, FoA/A, torture
prevention, and women’s rights, acquired over 20
years experience as international human rights expert
(eg with OHCRH, UNDP, CoD, Governments),
researcher and professor in the field of human rights
(most recently at Columbia University) and senior
manager in human rights organizations (eg ARTICLE
19, Amnesty International).
Over the past decade, I have regularly attended Human
Rights Council’s sessions and I have worked closely
with the Special Rapporteurs on FoE, FoE, HRD,
violence against women, and torture for some 20
years. I have overseen the production of joint
statements (eg on violence against journalists, access
to information, blasphemy) by international and
regional Special Mandates etc.
I have initiated policies on issues such as the
permissible limits of freedom of expression, the
enabling legal environment for civil society and human
rights defenders protection.
I have established a legal hot desk that provided legal
support to HRD around the world, and I am now
directing a new global initiative at Columbia
University, bringing legal experts from around the
world to compare case laws and assess legal and
jurisprudential FoE trends.
ESTABLISHED COMPETENCE
(200 words)
Nationally, regionally or
internationally recognized
competence related to human
rights. (Please explain how such
competence was acquired).
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Over more than two decades, I have worked for and
published about human rights protection and HRDs,
including by advising on international standard-setting
and legislative and policy solutions.
I have developed and implemented programs of work
for the protection of HRD, designing with colleagues
Second Part: Word APPLICATION FORM FOR SPECIAL PROCEDURES
MANDATE HOLDERS
Special Rapporteur on the situation on human rights defenders
multi-layered interventions focusing on personal
security, enabling legal environments, and institutional
reforms to strengthen protection. These have included
capacity-building programs for judges and lawyers to
integrate international HR standards in jurisprudence.
I have researched and written on gender-specific
security issues, and most recently on legal trends
confronting LGBT and religious minorities.
I am a specialist in human rights fact-finding
methodologies, having produced manuals and
designed trainings with and for HRDs on human rights
monitoring and investigation (eg on torture, EJEs, rape
and sexual violence, and abuses by Non-State Actors).
I have been an active member of a high level
government-led working group that used quiet
diplomacy to advocate for laws that enable HRDs to
do their work.
I have extensive experience working with the Business
sector (most recently large IT and social media
corporations) and in dealing with armed forces and
armed groups through fact finding missions in conflict
areas (eg Pakistan, Afghanistan, Northern
Uganda
FLEXIBILITY/READINESS AND
AVAILABILITY OF TIME (200
words)
to perform effectively the
functions of the mandate and to
respond to its requirements,
including participating in Human
Rights Council sessions in
Geneva and General Assembly
sessions in New York, travelling
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I will dedicate three months per year to the mandate
with my post at Columbia University offering both
flexibility and support for this, enabling me to commit
to:
•
Conduct of three in-country investigations per
year of laws, policies and practices affecting HRD, for
which I bring in-depth expertise in fact-finding and
research methodologies, incl. under conditions of
instability, repression and armed conflict.
•
Preparation of official reports to the HRC and
GA; drafting of presentations for expert meetings,
Second Part: Word APPLICATION FORM FOR SPECIAL PROCEDURES
MANDATE HOLDERS
Special Rapporteur on the
on special procedures visits,
drafting reports and engaging
with a variety of stakeholders.
(Indicate whether candidate can
dedicate an estimated total of
approx. three months per year
to the work of a mandate)
situation on human rights defenders
official letters and urgent actions for which I have
proven analytical and writing skills, as verified by my
publications.
•
Urgent action on emerging human cases as
required, having worked in a number of settings
demanding quick turn-around and sound rapid
response political judgment.
My strongest abilities are in aligning practical action to
strategy to vision, and inspiring others to achieve
these. I am absolutely committed to exercising these
qualities to the highest standard for the promotion and
implementation of the Declaration on Human Rights
Defenders.
Deeply committed to the global values that human
rights instruments enshrine, I have a tested and
practical ethical framing that guides my own
professional conduct and ingrained in me an
independence of mind and approach.
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Second Part: Word APPLICATION FORM FOR SPECIAL PROCEDURES
MANDATE HOLDERS
Special Rapporteur on the situation on human rights defenders
III. LANGUAGES (READ / WRITTEN / SPOKEN)
Please indicate all language skills
Languages
Arabic
Chinese
English
French
Russian
Spanish
Mother
tongue:
FRENCH
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Read
Not
Easily
Easily
Write
Easily
Not
Easily
Speak
Not
Easily
Easily
Second Part: Word APPLICATION FORM FOR SPECIAL PROCEDURES
MANDATE HOLDERS
Special Rapporteur on the situation on human rights defenders
IV. Motivation Letter (600 word limit)
I wish to express my interest in the post of Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights
Defenders (SR on HRD).
I am deeply committed to this mandate, which is at the heart of human rights, relevant in all parts
of the world, and intersects with key challenges of our time, including rights of women, minorities,
vulnerable populations and LGBT persons.
My motivation also stems from the appeal of the mandate’s core elements, which are its profoundly
humane mandate and its international standard-setting responsibilities, in institutional, legal, and
judicial terms.
My 20 years experience in the human rights field means that I bring to the post highly developed
technical expertise and finely honed skills in intellectual analysis, clear communication, alongside
a proven commitment to international work and inter-cultural understanding.
In support of these claims, I offer the following:
•
For more than 20 years, I have worked closely with HRDs around the world, often under
conditions of widespread insecurity. Security is a principle paramount in my work: I have
prioritized this for all those involved in my work and paid specific attention to physical and legal
security but also emotional distress and stress.
•
I have developed and led extensive programs for the protection of HRDs and journalists
including women’s human rights defenders; successfully implementing these in more than 10
countries and extending this work to security on-line and information technology’s impact on
human rights defenders.
•
I am a specialist in human rights research design, methodologies and quality-control, and
have developed investigation methods manuals with and for HRDs. I have designed both gendersensitive methodologies and accountability mechanisms for crisis-affected populations.
•
I have designed and undertaken fact-finding missions in more than 40 countries and led
complex joint missions, comprised of representatives from diverse stakeholder groups. All
involved high-level government meetings and the subsequent authoring and presentation of reports
detailing findings and associated recommendations.
•
I am an international human rights expert frequently called upon by UN agencies (e.g.
UNDP and OHCHR) and other IGOs. I have an established track record in pin pointing strategic
issues, identifying opportunities and risks, and in aligning operations for delivery of meaningful
results. I have sophisticated political judgment and for the past three years, have participated in a
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Second Part: Word APPLICATION FORM FOR SPECIAL PROCEDURES
MANDATE HOLDERS
Special Rapporteur on the situation on human rights defenders
multi-stakeholder group, composed of nine governments and four civil society organisations
(CSOs), which, through the use of quiet diplomacy, is working to address restrictive laws and
regulations that stifle civil society.
•
My human rights work has involved the forging of trans-national and multi-cultural
consensus, with and between governments, UN representatives, civil society actors and HRDs. It
has been directed at promoting collaborative effort for enduring and sustainable impact and
involved my exercise of highly developed skills in advocacy, policy development and capacity
building.
•
Both on my own, and jointly as part of collaborative processes, I have developed new
policy positions and solutions for complex human rights challenges such as incitement to hatred,
religion and free expression and new technologies and transparency. I am able to synthesize
contributions from diverse stakeholders into a coherent account, bringing people from a range of
perspectives/countries/sectors together to define and achieve shared goals (e.g. as evidenced by the
2009 Camden Principles, which tackle the difficult relationship between FoE and equality.)
For more than two decades, I have worked and advocated for the protection of human rights in my
professional life, my volunteer work and always as a matter of personal conviction. It has taught
me humility, empathy and resilience, all qualities that I would endeavor to bring to the Special
Rapporteur position.
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Second Part: Word APPLICATION FORM FOR SPECIAL PROCEDURES
MANDATE HOLDERS
Special Rapporteur on the situation on human rights defenders
V. EDUCATIONAL RECORD
NOTE: Please list the candidate’s academic qualifications: (university
level and higher)
Name of degree and name of academic
institution
Years of
Attendance
Place and
Country
PostDoc in Refugee Studies, York University
1992-1995
Toronto, CANADA
PhD in Political Science, New School for Social
Research
1988-1995
New York, USA
MA in International Relations, Howard University
1985-1988
Washington DC,
USA
Diploma in Political Sciences, Institut d'Etudes Politiques
1981-1985
Grenoble, FRANCE
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Second Part: Word APPLICATION FORM FOR SPECIAL PROCEDURES
MANDATE HOLDERS
Special Rapporteur on the situation on human rights defenders
VI. EMPLOYMENT RECORD
NOTE: Please briefly list ALL RELEVANT professional positions held,
beginning with the most recent one:
Name of Employer
Functional Title
Main functions of position
COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY, Director of Global FoE Initiative,
Special Adviser to the President of the University: Responsible for
the design and implementation of a new Columbia University
initiative studying freedom of expression law and jurisprudence
around the world and analysing global trends; Special Adviser to
the President of the University; Guest lecturer on human rights,
international human rights standards, freedom of expression and
information.
Years of
Attendance/
Work
Present -
Place
and
Country
New York
City, USA
ARTICLE 19, Executive Director: Led freedom of expression and
2004-2013
information organisation specialising on legal and policy support
and int'l human rights standards, implemented organization-wide
strategic change; designed and implemented new programs on HRD
security, the protection of civic space
London,
Great
Britain
HUMANITARIAN ACCOUNTABILITY PARTNERSHIP,
Executive Director: Established and launched the first international
self-regulatory body in the humanitarian sector to strengthen
accountability to beneficiaries; Oversaw field operations in Sierra
Leone, Afghanistan and Cambodia to test in real-time and
emergency situations accountability mechanisms.
2001-2004
Geneva,
Switzerlan
d
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL, Director of the Office of the
Secretary General (last position held); Research policy Coordinator
(first position held): Provided and coordinated strategic and policy
advice to AI Secretary General; Developed and coordinated AI
policies and methodology on human rights reporting:
1995-2001
London,
United
Kingdom
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Second Part: Word APPLICATION FORM FOR SPECIAL PROCEDURES
MANDATE HOLDERS
Special Rapporteur on the situation on human rights defenders
VII. COMPLIANCE WITH ETHICS AND INTEGRITY PROVISIONS (of
Council Resolution 5/1)
1. To your knowledge, does the candidate have any official, professional,
personal, or financial relationships that might cause him/her to limit the extent
of their inquiries, to limit disclosure, or to weaken or slant findings in any way?
If yes, please explain.
NO
2. Are there any factors that could either directly or indirectly influence,
pressure, threaten, or otherwise affect the candidate’s ability to act
independently in discharging his/her mandate? If yes, please explain:
NO
3. Is there any reason, currently or in that past, that could call into question
the candidate’s moral authority and credibility or does the candidate hold any
views or opinions that could prejudice the manner in which she/he discharges
his mandate? If yes, please explain:
NO
4. Does the candidate comply with the provisions in paragraph 44 and 46 of
the Annex to Human Rights Council resolution 5/1?
Para. 44: The principle of non-accumulation of human rights functions at
a time shall be respected.
Para. 46: Individuals holding decision-making positions in Government
or in any other organization or entity which may give rise to a conflict of
interest with the responsibilities inherent to the mandate shall be
excluded. Mandate-holders will act in their personal capacity
YES
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MANDATE HOLDERS
Special Rapporteur on the situation on human rights defenders
5. Should the candidate be appointed as a mandate holder, he/she will have to
take measures to comply with paragraphs 44 and 46 of the Annex to Council
resolution 5/1. In the event that the current occupation or activity, even if
unpaid, of the candidate may give rise to a conflict of interest (e.g. if a
candidate holds a decision-making position in Government) and/or there is an
accumulation of human rights functions (e.g. as a member of another human
rights mechanism at the international, regional or national level), necessary
measures could include relinquishing positions, occupations or activities. If
applicable, please indicate the measures the candidate will take.
NA
You will receive an acknowledgment when we receive both parts of the
application process, i.e. the information through the Web-based application
and the Word application form by email.
Thank you for your interest.
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