A/HRC/10/WG.3/2 page 2 Introduction 1. This note is intended to provide some background information pertaining to the work accomplished by the Intergovernmental Working Group on the effective implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action during the first part of its sixth session (21 January to 1 February 2008). Change in mandate of the Intergovernmental Working Group on the effective implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action 2. Following the adoption of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action at the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance, held in Durban in 2001, the Commission on Human Rights, in its resolution 2002/68, created the Intergovernmental Working Group. Pursuant to this resolution, its mandate was: “(a) To make recommendations with a view to the effective implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action;” and “(b) To prepare complementary international standards to strengthen and update international instruments against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance in all their aspects”. 3. Regarding the preparation of complementary international standards, the Intergovernmental Working Group has devoted an important part of its agenda to discussions on the following questions: (a) Are there gaps in the legal framework for countering racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance; (b) If so, how are they to be filled? Answers to these questions should contribute to strengthen and update international instruments against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance in all their aspects in accordance to recommendation 199 of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action. 4. The fifth session of the Intergovernmental Working Group (3-7 September 2007) marked the conclusion and closure of its debates and deliberations on the issue of complementary international standards, as the Human Rights Council, in its decision 3/103, entrusted this task to the Ad Hoc Committee on the elaboration of complementary international standards. The present Intergovernmental Working Group mandate consists in making recommendations with a view to the effective implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action. 5. The former Chairperson-Rapporteur of the Intergovernmental Working Group, Juan Martabit (Chile), transmitted its report to the sixth session of the Human Rights Council on 25 September 2007 and, in a letter dated 25 October 2007, informed the Council of his resignation as Chairperson-Rapporteur. The first part of the sixth session of the Intergovernmental Working Group 6. The Intergovernmental Working Group held the first part of its sixth session from 21 January to 1 February 2008. Following the opening of the session, Dayan Jayatilleka (Sri Lanka) was elected Chairperson-Rapporteur and it adopted its agenda. Thereafter, the session was postponed to the following week to allow sufficient time to develop its programme of work.