A/HRC/21/59 forms and manifestations of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance‖ by Vladlen Stefanov, Chief of the National Institutions and Regional Mechanisms Section at OHCHR and Zanofer Ismalebbe, Human Rights Adviser with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Geneva, respectively. 40. At the 9th meeting, on 16 April, Patrick Charlier of the Belgian Centre for Equal Opportunities and Opposition to Racism discussed how to choose a national mechanism, the status of mechanisms and the remit of mechanisms. At the 10th meeting later that day, Jozef DeWitte, Chair of the European Network of Equality Bodies (Equinet) gave his presentation to the Ad Hoc Committee explaining the mandate, role and functions of the Belgian Centre. He also outlined the Network‘s mandate and work. 41. At the 11th meeting, on 17 April, Bucio Mujica, President of the Mexican National Council for Prevention of Discrimination (CONAPRED), gave a presentation on national mechanisms against discrimination, with particular emphasis on his own organization. André Castella, Director of the Office for Integration of Foreigners of the Canton of Geneva, addressed participants of the Ad Hoc Committee at its 12th meeting. 42. Due to the word limit for this report, the summaries of all the above presentations and the respective discussions with the meeting participants which followed them are reflected in annex II to the present report. V. Discussion on the topic of “Procedural gaps with regard to the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination” 43. At the 13th meeting, on 18 April, Alexey Avtonomov, Chairperson of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, gave a presentation titled ―Procedural gaps preventing full and adequate implementation of ICERD‖. He said that, at present, the Committee believed that the substantive provisions of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination were sufficient for combating racial discrimination in contemporary conditions. The Committee was of the view that in the near future it would be able to address problems without amending the Convention. Nevertheless, the Committee considered that the establishment of certain new procedures might enhance the effectiveness of the Committee‘s activities as a monitoring body. The lack of certain procedures was considered by the Committee to constitute the procedural gaps in the Convention. The Committee paid great attention to issues related to xenophobia, noting that there were many different aspects covered by the definition of racial discrimination in the Convention. He cautioned that any other definition might restrict the current one. He said that in the future new wording might be needed for the definition, but this was currently not the case. He said that if there was to be an optional protocol to the Convention, it should focus on additional procedures concerning investigations, inquiries, procedures to evaluate situations or country visits. 44. Mr. Avtonomov explained that as it could sometimes take years before it could act, the Committee was suggesting a standing procedure whereby experts could visit the country of concern and investigate the situation more promptly. For instance one or two experts could visit, collect first-hand information and brief the Committee. In this regard, the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination had asked that consideration be given to an optional protocol. The suggested wording for the additional procedures varied: some experts suggested calling it an evaluation visit; others referred to it as an investigation or inquiry procedure. He stated that the Committee was aware that any country visits would require additional financial resources; however some treaty monitoring bodies already had 9