Informal Meeting on Review of Mandates, 28.3.07, Report by A.F.

continued discussion on the review of mandates:

basic reference: Non-Paper proposed by the facilitator of the WG for the Review of Special Procedures, H.E. Ambassador Tomas Husak

issues discussed: (cf: p. 11 of Non-paper under point II.B entitled: "Proposals on individual mandates"):

- what to do with the existing country mandates established by vote in the Comission of HR? this concernes especially the 3 mandates already established, namely: Cuba, Belarus, DPRK.
-> most of the NAM countries lead by Cuba are against the continuation of these mandates and ask for a complete termination of them. This is also supported by the Russian Federation, Belarus, Algeria (as the leader of the African Group) as well as by Iran.
-> on the other hand, the European Union countries supported by Japan, US, NZ, Australia, Canada, CH, want to continue with the country specific mandates, especially the ones already established by the commission as named above.

- question whether the UPR will constitute a substitute for country mandates:
-> Western group is against it, they see the 2 reviews as complementary mechanisms.
-> Idea to have a country mandate for each and every country, not soley pick a few ones (supported especially by Iran, South Africa)

- What happens to the thematic mandates?
-> proposal by the facilitator: if not changed or terminated, they will automatically be extended for 3 years (in opposition to the proposal for country mandates that would be extended for only 1 year):
-> many countries think that this is too long a period and ask for a prolongation for only 1 year

- establishment of new mandates:
-> proposal made for a moratorium on creation of new mandates during transitional year by Russia.
-> Switzerland proposes the establishment of a new mandate on comtemporary forms of slavery, since this issue has not yet received enough attention.

- the last point in the non-paper, entitled "code of Conduct", will be discussed in a further informal meeting in April.