OHCHR Individual Complaint Procedures: Who Qualifies and What You Get
Learn how individuals can request a review of human rights violations through international UN treaty bodies after domestic legal options are exhausted.
This procedure allows individuals to bring human rights violation claims to the attention of United Nations treaty bodies.
Who it's for
You can use this process if you believe your human rights have been violated and you have already exhausted all available legal options within your own country. This means you must have gone through your domestic court systems and reached the final possible stage of appeal before you can apply.
What you get
If your case is accepted, a UN treaty body will review your complaint to determine if a human rights violation has occurred.
What it costs you
There is no fee to use this procedure. However, it requires a significant investment of your time and effort, as you must provide extensive documentation proving that you have attempted and failed to resolve the issue through your country's legal system.
The catch to know
The process is extremely slow and can take a long time to reach a conclusion. Additionally, the outcomes are non-binding recommendations rather than legally enforceable orders.
How to apply
- Ensure you have completed every possible legal step in your home country first.
- Gather all necessary evidence and documentation regarding the alleged violation and your legal history.
- Follow the submission guidelines provided by the relevant UN treaty body.
- Visit the official portal for more details: https://www.ohchr.org/