A/HRC/12/50 Part Two: Summary of proceedings I. Organizational and procedural matters A. Opening and duration of the session 1. The Human Rights Council held its twelfth session at the United Nations Office at Geneva from 14 September to 2 October 2009. The President of the Council opened the session. 2. At the 31st meeting, on 2 October 2009, the representative of Uruguay made a statement in relation to the peoples of Indonesia and the Philippines affected by the natural catastrophe that had struck those countries, as well as to recent sports events. 3. At the same meeting, the President made a statement extending his sympathy and solidarity to the people affected in that region. 4. In accordance with rule 8 (b) of the rules of procedure of the Council, as contained in part VII of the annex to Council resolution 5/1 of 18 June 2007, the organizational meeting of the twelfth session was held on 28 August 2009. 5. The twelfth session consisted of 32 meetings held over 14 days (see paragraph 24 below). B. Attendance 6. The session was attended by representatives of States Members of the Council, observer States of the Council, observers for non-Member States of the United Nations and other observers, as well as observers for United Nations entities, specialized agencies and related organizations, intergovernmental organizations and other entities, national human rights institutions and non-governmental organizations (see annex I). 7. At the 3rd meeting, on 15 September 2009, the President, responding to points of order raised by the delegations of Brazil and Argentina, indicated that he had received a letter in the afternoon of the previous day, dated 20 August 2009, indicating that the Permanent Representative of Honduras in Geneva was not the accredited representative of the Government of President Zelaya. The President also stated that he had informed and consulted parties concerned, as well as the Bureau and regional groups, and that appropriate action had been taken on the issue and that his understanding was that there was a consensus within the Council that it would follow the decision of the General Assembly on the recommendations of the report of the Credentials Committee. C. Agenda and programme of work of the session 8. At its 3rd meeting, on 15 September 2009, the Council adopted the agenda and programme of work of the twelfth session (see annex II). D. Organization of work 9. At the 3rd meeting, on 15 September 2009, the President outlined the modalities for the general debate on the update by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human 68