FUNDS ADMINISTERED BY UN HUMAN RIGHTS In 2017, the Special Fund consolidated its working methods, simplified its application and administration procedures and changed its strategic direction. It launched a new call for applications, the projects of which will be implemented in 2018. The Special Fund invested in fund-raising efforts and received US$187,263 in voluntary contributions. During this period, a Practical Guide on National Preventive Mechanisms was developed, in collaboration with SPT members, to be published in the beginning 2018. This will be followed by a training package on torture prevention. In 2017, the Fund received US$118,259 in voluntary contributions. As of the end of December, US$420,104 had been disbursed or committed to the abovementioned activities and the balance stood at US$853,886. OP-CAT Special Fund Contingency Fund Voluntary contributions in 2017 Voluntary contributions in 2017 Donor Czech Republic US$ Donor US$ 9,029 France 68,259 Republic of Korea 50,000 139,040 Germany 39,194 Spain TOTAL The Contingency Fund is a flexible funding mechanism that was established, in 2006, to carry out activities and implement the priorities and strategies of the High Commissioner, particularly in response to human rights emergencies, including through the rapid deployment of human rights personnel and the provision of necessary logistical support. The Fund, which is financed through voluntary contributions, aims to maintain approximately US$1 million at all times. Cash advances are drawn from the Fund to enable the implementation of rapid response activities without administrative delays. When subsequent funding is received from other sources, the Fund is reimbursed. Since the inception of the Fund, the Office’s capacity to provide conceptual and operational support to unforeseen mandates or situations requiring rapid response has significantly increased. In 2017, UN Human Rights used its Contingency Fund to deploy staff to the following countries or regions in light of deteriorating or potentially deteriorating human rights situations: Angola to monitor the human rights violations committed in Kasai, Democratic Republic of the Congo; three missions to Bangladesh to monitor the human rights violations of the Rohingya population in Myanmar; one human rights monitoring mission to Yangoon and the Rakhine state to support UN advocacy and protection response; Qatar to gather information on the impact of the Gulf crisis on the human rights situation; Guatemala to assist the country office with human rights monitoring related to the cri- UN HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT 2017 TOTAL 118,259 187,263 Contingency Fund 120 sis in the child welfare system; Honduras to assist the country office with human rights monitoring following the crisis that unfolded after the elections; Mauritania to strengthen human rights expertise in the humanitarian context; and the remote monitoring of the human rights situation in Venezuela. Special Fund for the Participation of Civil Society in the Social Forum, the Forum on Minority Issues and the Forum on Business and Human Rights The Special Fund for the Participation of Civil Society in the Social Forum, the Forum on Minority Issues and the Forum on Business and Human Rights was created by Human Rights Council decision 24/118 of 27  September 2013. The aim of the Fund is to facilitate the broadest possible participation of civil society representatives and other relevant stakeholders in the annual meetings of the three fora. In 2017, the Special Fund received US$50,000 in new contributions. In 2017, the Forum on Minority Issues, held on 30 November and 1 December 2017, in Geneva, brought together approximately 400 participants to engage in discussions focused on finding concrete measures and recommendations for minority youth in areas pertaining to inclusive education, participation in public life, representation in media in the digital age and their roles in sustainable peacebuilding and stability. The Special Fund was used to support the participation of five civil society activists from Cameroon, Colombia, Egypt, India and Tunisia. The Forum on Business and Human Rights, the largest global event ever held on this topic, took place in Ge-