A/HRC/17/37 programmes, have on the capacity of States to comply with human rights standards, and (b) identify suggestions on possible recommendations to States, international organizations and other stakeholders regarding possible policy elements to promote and protect human rights in developing countries while implementing debt and economic reform programmes. 8. Following the above-mentioned expert consultation, the then Independent Expert (Bernards Mudho) presented a preliminary draft of the guidelines to the Human Rights Council at its seventh session. 9. The guidelines, which are not intended to be legally binding but are voluntary in character, include: (a) Guidelines on foreign debt proposing, inter alia, a new debt sustainability framework which takes into account the impact of debt service on a country’s ability to fulfil its human rights obligations; debt relief operations guided by human rights considerations; and loan contraction and monitoring; (b) Guidelines on economic reform policies calling for, inter alia, a human rights-based approach to poverty reduction strategies; trade negotiations and policies based on economic and social impact assessments (including an analysis of potential impact on human rights); structural reforms guided by international human rights obligations; and transparent, responsible, accountable and participatory government. 10. In his report to the Council (A/HRC/7/9), the former Independent Expert stated that the guidelines required further work and consultations. 11. In its resolution 7/4, the Council redefined the mandate of the Independent Expert and renamed it the Independent Expert on the effects of foreign debt and other related international financial obligations of States on the full enjoyment of all human rights, particularly economic, social and cultural rights. The Council requested the current mandate holder to continue work on the development of the guidelines with a view to presenting an update thereon to the Council in 2010. It further called upon the Independent Expert to seek the views and suggestions of States, international organizations, United Nations agencies, funds and programmes, regional economic commissions, international and regional financial institutions and non-governmental organizations on the draft general guidelines. 12. In paragraph 37 of his preliminary report to the General Assembly (A/63/289), the Independent Expert intimated that, in order to guarantee the acceptability and effective implementation of the guidelines, it was necessary to ensure the fullest possible participation of all stakeholders (including civil society organizations and rights holders in the affected countries) in their finalization. 13. In its resolution 11/5, the Council requested the Independent Expert “to continue to seek the views and suggestions of States, international organizations, United Nations agencies, funds and programmes, regional economic commissions, international and regional financial institutions and non-governmental organizations on the draft general guidelines and his proposal of possible elements for consideration” (para. 25). In its decision 12/119, the Council requested OHCHR to assist the Independent Expert in the implementation of the activities envisaged in resolution 11/5, including organizing the consultations and providing the Independent Expert with appropriate support to enable him to undertake the consultations. B. Purpose 14. The main purpose of the consultations was to generate ideas, based on regional experiences and perspectives, on the form and content of the draft guidelines in order to improve them. 5