A/HRC/33/3 United Nations General Assembly Distr.: General 22 July 2016 Original: English Human Rights Council Thirty-third session Agenda item 1 Organizational and procedural matters Election of members of the Human Rights Council Advisory Committee Note by the Secretary-General 1. In accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 5/1, the Human Rights Council Advisory Committee, composed of 18 experts serving in their personal capacity and nominated by States Members of the United Nations following States’ consultations with national human rights institutions and civil society organizations, are to be elected by the Council by secret ballot from the list of candidates whose names have been submitted in accordance with the agreed requirements. 2. The geographic distribution of members is as follows: (a) Five from African States; (b) Five from Asia-Pacific States; (c) Two from Eastern European States; (d) Three from Latin American and Caribbean States; (e) Three from Western European and other States. 3. At its sixth session, the Human Rights Council adopted decision 6/102 on follow-up to Council resolution 5/1, in which it described the technical and objective requirements for the submission of candidatures, which include: (a) Recognized competence and experience in the field of human rights; (b) High moral standing; (c) Independence and impartiality. 4. When selecting their candidates, States are requested to apply the following guidelines on technical and objective requirements for the submission of their candidates: (a) GE.16-12671(E)  Competence and experience: