A/HRC/28/41 3. Special Advisers of the Secretary-General on the Prevention of Genocide and on the Responsibility to Protect 78. The Special Adviser of the Secretary-General on the Prevention of Genocide listed the different opportunities to enhance cooperation: (a) sharing information and analysis; (b) contributing to the preparation of country visits or conducting joint country visits; (c) contributing with comments to reports of special procedures; (d) participating in meetings on thematic issues that are relevant to all; (v) issuing joint public statements; and (e) holding meetings to enhance cooperation and share strategies on joint action. 79. The Special Adviser on the Responsibility to Protect briefed participants on the evolution of the concept of responsibility to protect and its relevance, and added two additional opportunities for cooperation with the special procedures, namely, through the first pillar of the responsibility of States to protect their own populations, through prevention and early action; and the second pillar of the responsibility of the international community to assist States. In the latter case, she stressed the role that special procedures could play in encouraging States to live up to their responsibilities and in capacity-building efforts to make States more resilient to atrocity crimes. 80. A number of mandate holders raised questions on, inter alia, the role and responsibility of non-State actors (such as business enterprises); the type of information that could be shared with the Special Advisers; how to broaden the approach to the prevention of crimes (beyond criminal justice to also include social justice); the need to address both justice and reconciliation issues; and to look into violence against women in non-conflict situations, which may exacerbate violence against women in conflict situations. 81. The mandate holders agreed to explore areas of cooperation with the Special Advisers, who reiterated their willingness to work with the special procedures. 4. President of the Human Rights Council 82. The President of the Council pointed out that 2014 had been a busy year, with 31 out of 53 mandates appointed. Two new thematic mandates had been created: on the rights of persons with disabilities, and on the negative impact of unilateral coercive measures on the enjoyment of human rights. The Council had also responded to emergency situations by establishing, for example, commissions of inquiry on the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and in Eritrea. It had also accepted that a human rights team should be deployed to Iraq. At the most recent session of the Council, the issues of civil society space and the protection of human rights defenders and journalists, and violence against persons because of their sexual orientation had been taken up, and demanded ongoing attention. 83. The President encouraged mandate holders to be guided by the letter and spirit of the Code of Conduct. Cooperation between States and the special procedures should be constructive and open, with continuing dialogue. Although some States complained about the work of special procedures, it was important to preserve the credibility of the system and the independence of mandate holders. 84. The President reiterated the fact that the Council attached great importance to recommendations made in the thematic and country visit reports of special procedures, given that they gave States more information and helped in decision-making. Gabon, for example, had had a positive experience with the visit of the Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons. The visit had resulted in a policy that was beneficial to the country. 85. The President had raised the issue of personal attacks on mandate holders with States during Council sessions, and had noted a decrease. He pointed out that attacks on those who cooperate with the mechanisms, including during country missions, had 16

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