A/HRC/23/18 map. The dialogue was built on the fact that both systems involve independent experts with thematic mandates who conduct country visits, draft thematic reports, undertake substantive research and develop and interpret human rights standards. The Addis Ababa road map recommended the establishment of regular and systematic modalities for sharing information, joint visits and follow-up on respective recommendations. 12. Good practices resulting from the Addis Ababa road map mentioned at the workshop included joint press releases, conferences and seminars, with the participation of United Nations and African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights experts, and a joint visit of the United Nations and the African Commission special procedures mandate holders on human rights defenders in Tunisia, in September 2012. Furthermore, United Nations special procedures mandate holders participated in the fifty-second session of the African Commission, in October 2012. Commission members took part in the nineteenth annual meeting of United Nations special procedures, held in June 2012. 13. At the secretariat level, the exchange of information has been intensifying. OHCHR shares with the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights weekly updates and forecasts of activities which are relevant to the region. Recommendations adopted by United Nations special procedures are shared with the Commission in order to enhance their follow-up. For instance, the Committee for Prevention of Torture in Africa took measures to implement the recommendations of the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery, including on its causes and its consequences, on his visit to Mauritania. 6 End of mission statements by United Nations special procedures are also shared with the Commission, which reciprocates. 14. Civil society organizations and national human rights institutions play an important role in the implementation of the road map, including by means of proposals on activities that could be undertaken jointly by United Nations and African human rights mechanisms. 15. The high degree of expertise and the commitment of the mandate holders of both the United Nations and the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights have been instrumental in accelerating the implementation of the road map. In addition, the joint working group created to oversee its implementation has served as its driving force. There have been challenges, however, including the lack of resources, various administrative obstacles and differences between the approaches of mandate holders to specific issues. To overcome these challenges, both systems need to find a compromise that allows them to enhance their cooperation without affecting their independence. 16. United Nations special procedures have also interacted with other regional mechanisms. For instance, in October 2011, the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression and his counterpart from the Inter-American Commission of Human Rights conducted a joint mission to Mexico. In 2010, the Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially women and children, devoted her annual report to the role of regional and subregional organizations in the fight against trafficking.7 2. Treaty bodies 17. Cooperation between universal human rights treaty bodies and regional human rights mechanisms has increased in recent years. Meetings have been held between: • The Human Rights Committee and the European Court of Human Rights 6 7 6 A/HRC/15/20/Add.2. A/HRC/14/32.

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