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Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons

Credit: UN Photo/David Ohana

About the mandate

Internally displaced persons may face discrimination and obstacles to fully enjoy their human rights because of their displacement. This mandate was created to:

  • Address the complex problem of internal displacement, in particular by mainstreaming the human rights of the internally displaced into all relevant parts of the United Nations system;
  • Work towards strengthening the international response to the complex problem of internal displacement due to reasons including armed conflict, generalized violence, human rights violations and disasters; and
  • To engage in coordinated international advocacy and action for improving protection and respect of the human rights of internally displaced persons, while continuing and enhancing inclusive dialogue with Governments, intergovernmental, regional and non-governmental organizations and other relevant actors.

The Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons is an independent human rights expert appointed by the United Nations Human Rights Council. The first Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons was appointed in September 2010, with the same functions as the former Representative of the Secretary-General on the human rights of internally displaced persons. The mandate was most recently renewed in 2022, through Resolution A/HRC/RES/50/6.

Learn more about the mandate

Current mandate holder

Paula Gaviria Betancur

Ms. Paula Gaviria Betancur (Colombia) was appointed Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons by the Human Rights Council in September 2022 and assumed the mandate on 1 November 2022.

Read Ms. Paula Gaviria Betancur’s full biography

Contact Information

Ms. Paula Gaviria Betancur
Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons
OHCHR-UNOG
8-14 Avenue de la Paix
1211 Geneve 10, Switzerland
Email: hrc-sr-idp@un.org

Former mandate holders


Ms. Cecilia Jimenez-Damary (Philippines)
2016-2022

Dr. Chaloka Beyani (Zambia)
2010-2016

Mr. Walter Kälin (Switzerland)
2004 - 2010

Mr. Francis Deng (Sudan)
1992-2004

Videos

Human Rights 75 | Everyone Has the Right to Seek Safety
November 2023
Watch on YouTube