Please, read the general remarks about the special procedures first.
The Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion and Belief refers to the Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief of 1981.
Read the Declaration: http://www2.ohchr.org/english/law/religion.htm
Article 1 states that “everyone shall have the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. This right shall include freedom to have a religion or whatever belief of his choice, and freedom, either individually or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in worship, observance, practice and teaching”.
Information and complaints can be submitted (specifying the pertinent special procedure) to:
Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief
c/o Office Of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
United Nations at Geneva
1211 Geneva 10
Fax: +41 22 917 90 06
E-mail: freedomofreligion(at)ohchr.org or to urgent-action(at)ohchr.org
(please include as subject line: Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief)
Once the Special Rapporteur received credible information concerning violations of the Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief, he/she can address a communication, generally in form of a letter submitted by the High Commissioner for Human Rights, to the concerned government asking it to give information concerning the allegation and to take preventive measures or to initiate an investigation. The communications can deal with cases of individuals, groups or communities, the general trends and development of human rights violations in certain countries as well as draft law or law in force subjected to apprehension. The communications are generally made in form of “urgent appeals” or “letters of allegation”. When there are multiple mandates for one case, the Special Rapporteur can submit joint communications.
“Urgent appeals” are used to provide information concerning current or imminent violations. They are submitted to inform the competent authorities as quickly as possible so that these can intervene to stop the human rights violation or to prevent it.
“Letters of allegation” are used to provide information concerning violations which have already taken place and which have had irreversible consequences for the supposed victim. This type of communication is used, for example, when the Special Rapporteur receives information on violations which have already been committed.
With both types of communication, the Special Rapporteur asks the concerned government to take all appropriate measures to investigate and remedy the alleged violations and to submit the results of its intervention. According to the response, the Special Rapporteur can decide to pursue the investigation or to give recommendations.