States of Denial: Rationalising UK Government Responses to UN Special Procedures

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK) has hosted several high profile visits of United Nations (UN) Special Procedures. Appointed by the Human Rights Council, but serving in their independent capacity, these individuals and groups monitor, advise and report on human rights. Whilst overtly supportive of this mechanism within the Human Rights Council, closer examination of UK government responses to recent visits evidences a problem.Drawing on the work of Stanley Cohen, it will become evident that the UK government conforms to a predictable classification of responses on and to international organisations when challenged on human rights violations. Consequently questions arise over the UK's claim of being a beacon of human rights: 'a strong advocate for the UN's human rights fora ... fully support[ing] the Council and the tools and mechanisms at its disposal.'.