About the mandate
Without respect for the right to life, no other human right can be upheld. Extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions – meaning the deliberate killing of individuals outside of any legal framework - are a violation of this most fundamental right.
The Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions is an independent human rights expert appointed by the United Nations Human Rights Council. The mandate of the Special Rapporteur was established in 1982 and has been renewed numerous times, most recently in June 2017 (HRC resolution
44/05). The mandate of the Special Rapporteur covers all countries, irrespective of whether a State has ratified relevant international Conventions.
Learn more about the mandate and its methods of work
Current mandate holder
Morris Tidball-Binz, Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions
© Morris Tidball-Binz, Special Rapporteur
Mr. Morris Tidball-Binz was appointed the UN Special Rapporteur on extra-judicial summary or arbitrary executions, on 1 April 2021. Mr. Morris Tidball-Binz (Viña del Mar, Chile, 1957) is a medical doctor specialized in forensic science, human rights and humanitarian action. Over the past 35 years, he has conducted fact-finding, technical assessments and capacity building missions to over 70 countries in all regions.
Read Mr. Tidball-Binz's full biography
Key documents
The Minnesota Protocol on the Investigation of Potentially Unlawful Death (2016): The Revised United Nations Manual on the Effective Prevention and Investigation of Extra-legal, Arbitrary and Summary Executions
The Minnesota Protocol was drafted in 1991 as a companion document to the 1989 UN Principles on the Effective Prevention and Investigation of Extra-legal, Arbitrary and Summary Executions. It was revised in 2016.
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UN Principles on the Effective Prevention and Investigation of Extra-legal, Arbitrary and Summary Executions
The principles were recommended by Economic and Social Council resolution 1989/65 on 24 May 1989.
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Latest reports
Mr. Tidball-Binz’s vision on the implementation of his mandate: In the report, the first submitted by the new Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, Mr. Morris Tidball-Binz outlines the vision that will drive the implementation of his mandate, together with the main thematic and strategic priorities, areas of focus and research that he intends to pursue during his tenure. View document A/76/264
Reflections of the Special Rapporteur: In her final report as mandate holder, submitted at the 2021 session of the HRC, Dr. Agnès Callamard offers a reflection on her work and analyzes her contribution to themes on which the mandate has made a major normative contribution over the last 30 years.
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A/HRC/47/33 (Advance unedited version)
Respectful and lawful handling of mass graves: This report, submitted at the 2020 session of the General Assembly, offers a preliminary compendium of human rights standards and possible steps towards the respectful and lawful handling of mass graves.
View report page | View document
A/75/384
Armed drone killings: This report, submitted at the 44th session of the HRC in 2020, addresses the issue of targeted killings using armed drones and makes recommendations designed to regulate their use and enhance accountability. It also analyzes the armed drone killing of Iranian General Quassem Soleimani.
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A/HRC/44/38
Latest country reports
Mission to Nigeria (August-September 2019)
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A/HRC/47/33/Add.2 (advance unedited version)
