A/HRC/21/45 United Nations General Assembly Distr.: General 3 August 2012 Original: English Human Rights Council Twenty-first session Agenda item 3 Promotion and protection of all human rights, civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to development Report of the Independent Expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order, Alfred Maurice de Zayas Summary In this initial report to the Human Rights Council, the Independent Expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order formulates preliminary views on the conceptual and legal framework of the mandate and highlights some of the epistemological challenges inherent in the notion of democracy at the national and international levels, as well as the implications of a culture of equity based on common sense and common interest. The present report is inspired by the purposes and principles set out in the Charter of the United Nations and in pertinent United Nations and regional human rights norms, including the core human rights treaties and multiple declarations and resolutions adopted by the General Assembly. The Independent Expert will cooperate with other special procedures and coordinate his work with that of other United Nations mechanisms, including the Human Rights Council Advisory Committee and treaty bodies. He will liaise with intergovernmental organizations and agencies, including the World Trade Organization, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the International Labour Organization, the World Health Organization, the World Intellectual Property Organization, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. He will conduct consultations with stakeholders and academics in all regions of the world. In the present report, the mandate holder explores a number of real and potential obstacles to the realization of genuine democracy and equity, endeavouring to identify some good practices and lessons learned. He suggests ways in which governments, the private sector and civil society can cooperate. GE.12-15746