A/HRC/4/26 page 5 16. On 11 and 12 May 2006 the Special Rapporteur visited Astana, Kazakhstan, and held discussions with various State authorities (Prokuratura, Parliament, Committee for National Security) and civil society actors. The discussions focused on human rights and national responses to terrorism and “extremism”, including their definitions and the procedure for proscribing organizations. 17. On 16 May 2006, the Special Rapporteur gave a presentation to COTER (the European Union Working Committee on Terrorism) on the methodology of identifying best practices in the field of counter-terrorism, including illustrative examples. He also met with the EU counter-terrorism coordinator and relevant EU Commission representatives. Furthermore, he visited the United Nations Regional Information Centre and briefed NGO and media representatives on his mandate and his activities. 18. From 19 to 24 June 2006, the Special Rapporteur attended the thirteenth annual meeting of the special procedures mandates in Geneva. The meeting focused on how special procedures operate within the newly established Human Rights Council. 19. On 20 June 2006 the Special Rapporteur met with representatives of the Government of the Maldives. Topics of discussion were the counter-terrorism legislation in force and several cases of individuals who had been charged under the law and the impact on freedom of assembly. 20. On 21 June 2006 the Special Rapporteur addressed a delegation of the European Parliament, regarding issues arising in the context of his mandate. 21. On 22 June 2006 an informal meeting was held with representatives of a number of countries, including Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Jordan, Norway, Sweden, South Africa, Switzerland, Turkey, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United States of America, to discuss the evolution of the mandate and future perspectives. 22. On 23 June 2006 the Special Rapporteur met with some members and the secretariat of the Eminent Jurists Panel on Terrorism, Counter-Terrorism and Human Rights created at the initiative of the International Commission of Jurists to exchange information on past activities and discuss issues of common concern, such as the use of intelligence before courts, the definition of terrorism and control orders as a means to combat terrorism. 23. From 25 to 28 September 2006 the Special Rapporteur was in Geneva to present his report (E/CN.4/2006/98) to the second session of the Human Rights Council. He met with representatives of the Permanent Missions of Algeria, Israel, Pakistan, South Africa, the United States of America, and the Arab League. He also met with the African Group. 24. On 3 October 2006 the Special Rapporteur was in Brussels and delivered a statement to the European Parliament Temporary Committee on the alleged use of European countries by the CIA for the transport and illegal detention of prisoners. The Special Rapporteur also spoke at a joint parliamentary meeting between the European Parliament and national parliaments of the European Union and its accession countries on how to improve the efficiency of counter-terrorism measures while at the same time respecting fundamental rights.