The special procedures of the Human Rights Council are independent human rights experts with mandates to report and advise on human rights from a thematic or country-specific perspective. They are non-paid and elected for 3-year mandates that can be reconducted for another three years.

With the support of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), special procedures:
 

​Reference materials give researchers and human rights law practitioners access to key human rights instruments and other essential information. These materials also include jurisprudence from human rights treaty bodies.

Special Issues explore selected subjects in greater depth. The subjects are chosen in the light of their topicality, urgency and recent developments that have led to a change of perspective or emphasis. ​