UNITED NATIONS A General Assembly Distr. GENERAL A/HRC/7/38 11 February 2008 Original: ENGLISH HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL Seventh session Agenda item 2 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AND REPORTS OF THE OFFICE OF THE HIGH COMMISSIONER AND THE SECRETARY-GENERAL Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and follow-up to the World Conference on Human Rights* Summary The present report outlines the efforts undertaken by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) to implement its mandate. It elaborates on the support given to the continued work of the Human Rights Council and the effective functioning of its mechanisms, both its reform initiatives and its ongoing substantive work. In this context, attention is equally paid to the challenge of the universal periodic review and the support given to that process by OHCHR. The report elaborates on the strategic themes identified in the Strategic Management Plan and their implementation. It also provides an overview of the continued efforts to strengthen country engagement and activities for the sixtieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. One focus of the report is the continued commitment to the fight against racism and, in particular, the Durban Review process. Finally, the report highlights the support for human rights instruments and the potential role of the universal periodic review in the promotion of their universal application. * The present report was submitted after the deadline so as to reflect the most recent information. GE.08-10538 (E) 130208