A/HRC/13/26 14. Special procedures have also worked closely with other Council mechanisms. For example, the UPR interactive dialogues with States under review included discussions of issues raised by special procedures, and countries have pledged greater cooperation. Special procedures have made important contributions to the thematic panels and other discussions of the Council. They have been supported by OHCHR in their interaction with subsidiary bodies of the Council, including the Forum on Minority Issues, the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Social Forum, and in following the work of the Advisory Committee. Special procedures contributed to the successful outcome of the Durban Review Conference, and will actively participate in its follow-up. 15. Special procedures have continued to be important in the development of international human rights law. The Working Group on the use of mercenaries is considering elements for a possible draft convention on the activities of private military and security companies. The Special Rapporteur on the right to food developed a set of core principles and measures to address the human rights challenge posed by large-scale land acquisitions and leases. The Working Group on Enforced and Involuntary Disappearances — which this year commemorates its thirtieth anniversary — adopted its general comment on enforced disappearance as a crime against humanity. Thematic mandate holders have also jointly addressed cross-cutting issues through comprehensive analysis and recommendations, for example in relation to secret detention in the context of counterterrorism and discrimination. III. Developments in strategic thematic areas A. Combating discrimination and support to victims 16. Among the priority themes OHCHR has identified for the next biennium is countering discrimination, in particular racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, discrimination on the grounds of sex, disability, against indigenous groups and national minorities, and against others who are marginalized. Equality before the law and freedom from discrimination constitute basic legal principles that underpin all human rights, with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and international human rights treaties containing provisions prohibiting discrimination and establishing State obligations to refrain from discriminatory policies and practices and take active steps to eradicate discrimination in both the public and private spheres. The roots of most human rights abuses, including in situations of conflict, lie in severe violations of these principles. To underscore the importance of combating discrimination and related violations, OHCHR selected the theme of “Embrace diversity, stop discrimination” for the 2009 Human Rights Day activities which took place around the world. B. Indigenous and minority issues 17. It is essential to translate standards of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples from aspiration to practice. OHCHR, in close cooperation with indigenous representatives and other partners, has continued to play a leading role in this process, promoting the use of the Declaration by national human rights institutions and other key actors. In addition to undertaking country-specific activities to advance the rights of indigenous peoples this year, OHCHR has also pursued thematic work on challenging issues such as the rights of isolated indigenous peoples. It supported the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and organized an inclusive workshop to contribute to the Expert Mechanism’s first thematic study on the right of indigenous peoples to education. OHCHR also contributed to strengthened inter-agency cooperation, the work of 6 GE.09-17604