12 WHAT IS STRATEGIC LITIGATION? PRACTICE NOTE 5 STRATEGIC LITIGATION OF ENFORCED DISAPPEARANCES IN AFRICA can participate in the sessions of the treaty bodies and hold formal and informal meetings with their members. • Civil society can also engage with the UN human rights mechanisms through the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process. All members of the United Nations have their human rights records reviewed on a regular basis by the Human Rights Council. Every five years States must present a report to the Council on the fulfilment of their human rights obligations. Civil society organisations can present shadow reports outlining the human rights situation in the respective country as input during the review process. • Finally, enforced disappearances can be brought to the attention of the UN Special Procedures. The Special Procedures are human rights experts with the mandate to advise on specific human rights issues or situations. They can act on individual cases brought to their attention, by sending urgent appeals and allegation letters to States. They can also issue press statements, raising public awareness and putting pressure on States in specific situations or cases. Their mandate allows for country visits, holding hearings to speak publicly about enforced disappearance in a particular country and working with governments to address the crime. In relation to enforced disappearances, the UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances, the Special Rapporteur on Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders and the Special Rapporteur on the Promotion of Truth, Justice, Reparation and Guarantees of Non-repetition, are especially relevant. • Community organising. When acting on behalf of a group, there is greater ability to connect the cases to a community and to enhance their impact. Victims and survivors’ groups and networks can become a powerful and persuasive voice in the campaign against enforced disappearance.