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[GENEVA, 30 June 2006] - The Human Rights Council this morning adopted by consensus a Resolution on the right to development, endorsing the conclusions and recommendations adopted by the Working Group on the Right to Development at its January 2006 session and renewing its mandate for one year. The Council also adopted without a vote a Decision on the extension of all mandates, mechanisms, functions and responsibilities of the Commission on Human Rights, in which the Council extended exceptionally for one year, subject to review, the mandates and the mandate-holders of all the Commission's special procedures, of the Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights as well as the procedure established in accordance with Economic and Social Council Resolution 1503. The Council adopted by consensus a Decision to establish an open-ended intergovernmental working group to formulate concrete recommendations on the issue of reviewing and, where necessary, improving and rationalising all mandates, mechanisms, functions and responsibilities in order to maintain a system of special procedures, expert advice and a complaint procedure, through open-ended, intersessional, transparent, well scheduled and inclusive consultations, with the participation of all stakeholders. A Decision on the universal periodic review was also adopted, with the Council deciding to establish an intersessional open-ended intergovernmental working group to develop the modalities of the universal periodic review mechanism. Representatives of Cuba, China on behalf of like-minded countries, Canada, Finland on behalf of the European Union, and the Russian Federation took the floor. When the Human Rights Council reconvenes at 3 pm, it will continue to take action on remaining draft Resolutions and Decisions before adjourning its first session. Further information
pdf: http://www.ohchr.org/english/press/newsFrameset-2.htm