A/HRC/12/47 page 7 B. Exchange of views with the former President of the Human Rights Council 19. H.E. Ambassador Martin Ihoeghian Uhomoibhi, Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the United Nations Office at Geneva and former President of the Human Rights Council, stressed that victims of human rights violations should remain the ultimate concern of the Council and its mechanisms. He highlighted the crucial role of special procedures, in particular for the Council, and gave assurances that he would make use of good offices to mediate for the mechanisms. He noted that resolution 11/11 adopted by the Council at its eleventh session had strengthened and acknowledged the role of special procedures. 20. Ambassador Uhomoibhi suggested that the Committee should engage more visibly with all stakeholders. Mandate holders acknowledged his spirit of cooperation and noted efforts to harmonize working methods through their Manual; they raised issues of concern with regard to the interpretation of the Code of Conduct over the past year, which they had attempted to prevent and address through the creation of an Internal Advisory Procedure to review practices and working methods that was open to relevant stakeholders. Participants also raised issues regarding the importance of follow-up to the special procedures’ recommendations. Ms. Jahangir thanked the Ambassador for his cooperation and support for further strengthening of the work of mandate holders. C. Exchange of views with the President of the Human Rights Council and members of the Bureau 21. Participants had an exchange with the President of the Human Rights Council, H.E. Ambassador Alex Van Meeuwen (Belgium), and with members of the Bureau, H.E. Ambassador Carlos Portales (Chile) , H.E. Ambassador Hisham Badr (Egypt), H.E. Ambassador Dyan T. Djani (Indonesia) and H.E. Ambassador Andrej Logar (Slovenia). 22. The President noted the importance of strengthening the special procedures system by assessing the impact of mandate holders’ reports and building confidence in the system as a whole. Furthermore, he underlined the importance of the independence and autonomy of mandate holders in the fulfilment of their mandates as well as the need for full cooperation from States in order to ensure the effectiveness of the special procedures. The President reiterated his willingness to cooperate and work closely with all of the Council’s mechanisms in order to make the work of the Council more beneficial and efficient in the promotion and protection of human rights around the world. Bureau members referred to the adoption of resolution 11/11, called the Code of Conduct to be respected, and recalled the need for full cooperation by States with the special procedures. Constructive dialogue, cooperation and the independence of mandate holders were of the utmost importance. 23. Participants raised issues such as active involvement in the work of the Council, cooperation with special procedures by States, compliance with the Code of Conduct, and the perceived selective approach of some Council members regarding special procedures. Participants noted with appreciation the President’s and the Bureau’s intention to maintain an open door policy with respect to special procedures. The President assured mandate holders that he would continue the practice of the previous President of inviting them to all special sessions, through the Coordination Committee.