A/HRC/2/2 A/HRC/Sub.1/58/36 page 86 1. Treaty monitoring bodies 41. It must be clarified that TMBs continue to be a free-standing part of the United Nations human rights system, since their activities are not subject to the authority of HRCC but to a treaty regime. Only one issue appears to be relevant in this context. There is a need for coordination and cooperation between TMBs and HRCC with regard to the identification of thematic and procedural lacunae. To meet that need, the coordination (inter-committee) meeting of TMBs could be invited to consider including on its agenda an item on identification of thematic and procedural lacunae, and consideration could be given to a representative of HRCC attending that part of the meeting. 2. Special procedures 42. The principal function of the special procedures is to monitor implementation on the basis of agreed standards. It is not, generally speaking, their role to set standards, but to apply them. That said, they may, over time, assist in clarifying the scope of their respective mandates. 43. It is necessary to distinguish between different types of special procedures. There are country special rapporteurs, whose mandate is limited to a particular State; thematic special rapporteurs who monitor implementation of an agreed norm and thematic special rapporteurs who reflect upon an issue (e.g. human rights and international solidarity; the effects of economic reform policies and foreign debt on the full enjoyment of human rights, particularly economic, social and cultural rights). Generally speaking, monitoring is probably best carried out by an individual, but reflective work, while it can initially be carried out by an individual, benefits from discussion in a wider expert group. 44. In the process of rationalization, equal weight must be given to civil and political rights and economic, social and cultural rights. The WGs of the Sub-Commission and the Sub-Commission as a whole renew their request that all the special procedures (and also TMBs) should include consideration of the situation of marginalized groups, including but not limited to indigenous peoples and members of minorities, women, children, the elderly and the disabled, in the discussion of any issue under consideration. 45. Cooperation needs to be improved between the special procedures and other parts of the human rights system. This has significant implications for the Council, to which the special procedures report.17 46. In addition, so as to improve both cooperation and coherence, it is proposed that thematic special procedures be invited to attend the sessions of HRCC, as and where necessary, and that a member of HRCC should be present, on the basis of equal status, at coordinating meetings of the special procedures. 17 They also report to the General Assembly.