A/HRC/2/2 A/HRC/Sub.1/58/36 page 84 E. Main characteristics of any standing human rights expert advice mechanism that the Council may choose to establish 25. This section addresses the composition of HRCC, its organization and method of work. 1. Composition 26. This subsection addresses the overall composition of the body and the qualities necessary for membership, nomination and election. (a) Overall composition 27. In comparison with the size of the Sub-Commission, HRCC should not be either dramatically increased or decreased, as recognized in the course of the most recent reform of the Sub-Commission in the year 2000, in which the Commission found that 26 experts actually was a suitable size. Nonetheless, two more seats (one to be allocated to the Asian region, the other to the Eastern European area) could be useful. The possible election of alternate members together with the titular ones should be allowed to continue, to contribute to the work of the body. Alternates could also, for example, assist HRCC in its work by undertaking studies. 28. There would be a need for both continuity and new members in the composition of the body. The system of renewal of half of the mandates of the membership, which at present takes the form of elections every two years for half the members of the Sub-Commission, should be maintained. That would require a mandate of an even number of years, such as the present four-year mandates. 29. There is agreement that, in order better to discharge its responsibilities (particularly in view of the period of time needed for studies), it would be advantageous if members of HRCC served for two terms of at least four years. Views vary as to whether there should be any limitation on the number of successive mandates of a member of HRCC and, if so, what that number should be. 30. The body should reflect an equitable geographical and gender distribution and the experts should come from a range of disciplinary and professional backgrounds. (b) Qualities necessary for membership 31. Those nominated would require recognized expertise in human rights and commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights. The nominees’ curricula vitae, including information on their commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights, should be placed on the OHCHR website. All members of HRCC would be expected to have the capacity to undertake studies, alone or with other experts. (c) Nomination and election 32. Full members of HRCC and their alternates must be elected in accordance with the principle of equitable geographical distribution. Only States should be able to nominate candidates. The only limitations to this sovereign capacity are: (a) they may only nominate their