Procedury specjalne a rozbudowa uniwersalnego systemu ochrony praw człowieka.

Abstract

The UN human rights system is constantly growing, as new treaties are adopted and new special procedures are established. While this strengthens the protection of some human rights, the development is also criticized for blurring recognized concepts, which consequently leads to the weakening of the protection of human rights. The article analyzes the quantitative expansion of UN special procedures, with an emphasis on thematic mandates. Reasons for their growing number are examined, as well as strengths and weaknesses that this development brings. In the second part the article scrutinizes when the activities and competences of thematic special procedures and treaty bodies overlap. The two groups act complementary, but a lack of cooperation between them can lead to competition and duplication. The article closes with possible solutions of dealing with the expansion of the universal system, that would strengthen human rights protection, while making best use of available financial, administrative and technical resources.