A/HRC/5/21 page 13 (d) Areas which constitute thematic gaps will be identified and addressed, including by means other than the creation of special procedures mandates, such as by expanding an existing mandate, bringing a cross-cutting issue to the attention of mandate-holders or by requesting a joint action to the relevant mandate-holders; (e) Any consideration of merging mandates should have regard to the content and predominant functions of each mandate, as well as to the workload of individual mandate-holders; (f) In creating or reviewing mandates, efforts should be made to identify whether the structure of the mechanism (expert, rapporteur or working group) is the most effective in terms of increasing human rights protection; (g) New mandates should be as clear and specific as possible, so as to avoid ambiguity. 59. It should be considered desirable to have a uniform nomenclature of mandate-holders, titles of mandates as well as a selection and appointment process, to make the whole system more understandable. 60. Thematic mandate periods will be of three years. Country mandate periods will be of one year. 61. Mandates included in Appendix I, where applicable, will be renewed until the date on which they are considered by the Council according to the programme of work.4 62. Current mandate-holders may continue serving, provided they have not exceeded the six-year term limit (Appendix II). On an exceptional basis, the term of those mandate-holders who have served more than six years may be extended until the relevant mandate is considered by the Council and the selection and appointment process has concluded. 63. Decisions to create, review or discontinue country mandates should also take into account the principles of cooperation and genuine dialogue aimed at strengthening the capacity of Member States to comply with their human rights obligations. 64. In case of situations of violations of human rights or a lack of cooperation that require the Council’s attention, the principles of objectivity, non-selectivity, and the elimination of double standards and politicization should apply. 4 Country mandates meet the following criteria: − There is a pending mandate of the Council to be accomplished; or − There is a pending mandate of the General Assembly to be accomplished; or − The nature of the mandate is for advisory services and technical assistance.