A/HRC/34/24 indicators (the result of the measures taken or percentage of targeted persons reached). They were briefed on the sources of data to feed the indicators; the need to express results in terms of percentage, instead of in absolute figures, for comparison purposes; the role and importance of statisticians in the process; and the need to review the composition and terms of reference of the national mechanism for reporting and follow-up. 43. Mr. Gopaul stated that, following the workshop, the Prime Minister’s Office reviewed the said terms of reference so as to include the development of, and follow-up to, human rights indicators and the composition of the mechanism so as to include at least two statisticians. The first meeting of the mechanism was subsequently held, during which a non-exhaustive list of cross-cutting indicators was identified with respect to the protection of women; the protection of the child; the rights of persons with disabilities; poverty alleviation; racial discrimination; and administration of justice. 44. Finally, Mr. Gopaul stated that indicators would be used in the short term to prepare the fifth periodic report of Mauritius to the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the combined twentieth to twenty-third periodic reports to the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. In the medium term, Mauritius will publish its “digest of human rights statistics” covering a five-year period, and intends to make this document a regular feature in the long term. It will eventually use indicators in all United Nations periodic reports, in a consistent manner. E. Intervention by Miloon Kothari, President of UPR Info 45. First of all, Mr. Kothari highlighted the need to look at the adequacy of the national consultation process, the types of issues covered and whether access is granted to civil society organizations. In UPR Info’s experience, in a number of countries, only one consultation is organized, usually in the capital, which means that many people are excluded from the process, or consultations are limited to organizations with which the State mechanisms are familiar or organizations whose work they agree with. For instance, in some countries, governments are not willing to discuss issues that they deem sensitive, such as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or intersex persons. Such limitations must be overcome. 46. He highlighted the importance of consultations taking place at various stages of preparation, for example, prior to the universal periodic review, in the interim period, and leading to the drafting of midterm reports. 47. Mr. Kothari noted that, just as national mechanisms for reporting and follow-up have conducted positive consultations with civil society, there are several positive examples of civil society initiating consultation processes, such as in Kenya, Myanmar and Thailand. In the case of Kenya, the consultation process led to the holding of a national dialogue, which, in turn, led to the drafting of a national action plan. He also mentioned SIMORE in Paraguay, where the inputs of civil society are taken into account. Therefore, no matter who initiates the consultation process, it is important that it ends up being a multi-stakeholder process that benefits everyone. 48. Mr. Kothari pointed out the critical role of national human rights institutions in the consultation process and in the process leading up to the universal periodic review of a country. He mentioned the positive example of Denmark, where the national human rights institution prepared action-oriented recommendations ahead of the country’s second universal periodic review. He said that the National Human Rights Commission of India had also been active in preparing indicators and engaging with the Government of India and civil society. 9