A/HRC/2/2 A/HRC/Sub.1/58/36 page 18 Noting with great concern the constantly increasing number of victims of sexual violence, Concerned by the laws and practices that make it even more difficult to adduce evidence in cases of sexual abuse and violence directed against women and children, and that threaten to constitute flagrant violations of the norms guaranteeing the right to a fair trial, Convinced that the difficulty encountered in establishing evidence of sexual violence constitutes an impediment to the administration of justice and a basic obstacle to respect for victims’ rights, and threatens to lead directly to impunity, Stressing, therefore, the need to draw up principles and guidelines on the rules of evidence in cases of sexual violence, Recalling its resolution 2004/29 of 12 August 2004 and Commission on Human Rights decision 2005/108 of 8 August 2005, Taking note of the working papers prepared by Ms. Lalaina Rakotoarisoa (E/CN.4/Sub.2/2003/WG.1/CRP.1 and E/CN.4/Sub.2/2004/11) and her oral presentation on the subject at the fifty-seventh session of the Sub-Commission, 1. Welcomes her preliminary report (A/HRC/Sub.1/58/CRP.9); 2. Requests the Special Rapporteur to submit to it an interim report at its fifty-ninth session and a final report in the following year, or, failing that, to submit them to the Human Rights Council, or at the first session of the future expert advice mechanism; 3. Requests the Secretary-General to invite Governments, United Nations bodies, the specialized agencies and non-governmental organizations to provide the Special Rapporteur with the information necessary for the preparation of her report; 4. Also requests the Secretary-General to provide the Special Rapporteur with any assistance she may require to carry out her mandate, including the assistance of a consultant with specialized knowledge in this field; 5. adoption: Recommends the following draft decision to the Human Rights Council for [For the text, see chap. I, draft decision 3.] 6. Decides to continue consideration of this issue at its fifty-ninth session under the same agenda item, or recommends that it be considered at the first session of the future expert advice mechanism. 21st meeting 24 August 2006 [Adopted without a vote. See chap. V.]