Special rapporteurs, referred to as independent experts in the United Nations system, are the main elements of special procedures that are among the non-contractual protection mechanisms. They play an important role all over the world in attracing attention to the continuing human rights problems and improving the obligations of states in international human rights law. Their study areas are divided into thematic and territorial. Their work activities are country visits, urgent appeals and letters of allegation to governments, reports and recommendations prepared and publicized as a result of their work. However, there are various problems while doing these activities. For example, the absence of cooperation between the special rapporteurs and the states is the biggest obstacle in front of their activities. There are also a number of other obstacles, such as insufficient resources, the lack of a systematic procedure for follow-up of their recommendations. Despite these obstacles, the institution of special rapporteurs represents one of the most effective instruments of the international human rights system, as it has the ability to directly and firstly touch violations of rights. In this study, firstly special procedures will be given in general, then the importance of the special rapporteurs, the areas of work, the types of activities, their relation to other protection mechanisms and the problems in their work will be addressed.