February 2008/N°2 Human Rights Council, 6 th Session, part II, December 10-14, 2007, Geneva Theodor Rathgeber, Forum Human Rights Germany The UN Human Rights Council(HRC) concluded the second part of its 6 th Session from December 10-14, 2007. The HRC continued with institution-building issues(WG on Indigenous Peoples), the review of Special Procedures mandates, listened to reports from mandate holders on(Special Procedures) on the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous peoples(Rodolfo Stavenhagen), and the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism(Martin Scheinin). The Program of Work included the final report by the United Nations Experts Group on Darfur and the report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar. Review of Mandates of Special Procedures Like during the first part of Session 6, Pakistan on behalf of the Organisation on Islamic Conference(OIC) commented that the HRC did not make progress in establishing detailed modalities for the conduct of reviews, being seconded by Cuba on behalf of the Non-aligned Movement(NAM) and Egypt on behalf of the African Group. Despite these reservations, the HRC reviewed the mandates of several Special Procedures and decided by consensus to extend the mandates of: * Special Rapporteur on adequate housing as a component of the right to an adequate standard of living(extended by 3 years);* Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health (extended by 3 years);* Representative of the Secretary General on the human rights of internally displaced persons(extended by 3 years);* Special Rapporteur on protection of human rights while countering terrorism (extended by 3 years);* Independent Expert on technical cooperation and advisory services in Liberia(extended by 1 year);* Special Rapporteur on technical cooperation and advisory services in Sudan(extended by 1 year). The only mandate which was extended by a vote was related to Elimination of all forms of intolerance and discrimination based on religion or belief. The resolution was opposed particularly by Muslim countries arguing that stereotyping of Islam, the relation to the national law(which would include Sharia) were not included into or sufficiently considered in the text as well as the conversion of religion was mentioned as a right to freely practice religion. The resolution was finally passed after a vote of 29 in favour and with 18 abstentions(extended by 3 years). Among the positive votes were Angola, Ghana, Madagascar, Mauritius and Zambia. Code of Conduct Pakistan underlined that the Code of Conduct (CoC) has been accepted by the UN General Assembly(UN-GA) as a rule for the mandate holders of Special Procedures. Cuba on behalf of the NAM commented that the mandate holders are still negligent with the CoC and demanded a true and complete implementation. Institution-building: Working Group on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples The HRC terminated the mandate of the Working Group on Indigenous Populations in September 2007 and decided to check whether a new mechanism on indigenous issues would be needed. The HRC agreed to create a new Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous