A/HRC/10/24 page 9 procedures maintain the highest standards of independence and integrity. It was felt that reinforced cooperation had materialized with the outcome of the first thematic special session on the global food crisis. D. Universal periodic review mechanism and special procedures 23. The Secretariat briefed participants on the universal periodic review and its relevance to the special procedures. It was recalled that the final outcome of the review comprised the Working Group report, the State response to the recommendations in the report and a technical decision adopted by the Council. 24. The contribution of special procedures had proved to be a major part of United Nations compilation reports prepared by OHCHR for consideration by the Council in the universal periodic review process. Overall, the findings and recommendations of special procedures had been referred to frequently during the review. On many occasions, States accepted or supported recommendations relating to issues raised by special procedures. In those cases, the State under review frequently invoked the existing national framework. In a few circumstances, States explicitly rejected recommendations relating to issues raised by special procedures, particularly where specific recommendations were made to amend or repeal legislation or to establish institutions. 25. With regard to recommendations that invitations he extended to special procedures, some countries indicated that they would consider such requests favourably. Some States took the opportunity offered by the universal periodic review to announce their willingness to invite special procedures mandate-holders to visit. 26. The Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism, Martin Scheinin, shared with participants his observations on the universal periodic review and its relevance to his mandate. The question of follow-up to review recommendations by the special procedures was raised. It was noted that, just as the universal periodic review could contribute to the effectiveness of special procedures by encouraging States to cooperate and by referring to recommendations made by the special procedures, the special procedures usefully refer to certain pledges and commitments made by the States in the review process: thus, although the two mechanisms were independent from one another, they could to a certain extent strengthen each other. 27. Participants also suggested that more information should be shared regarding the different purposes served by special procedures and the universal periodic review. It was suggested that the inclusion of special procedures recommendations be monitored in the final review reports. V. WORKING METHODS A. Draft revised manual of special procedures mandate-holders 28. Participants discussed the draft revised manual of special procedures mandate-holders. The manual is a mechanism developed in 1999 at the initiative of mandate-holders, a living document that is subject to regular revision. In 2006, a draft revised version was circulated for comment from Governments, non-governmental organizations and other stakeholders. In 2007,