UNITED
NATIONS
A
Word.Picture.8 General Assembly
 Distr.
Distr. \* MERGEFORMAT GENERAL
A/HRC/2/4
26 September 2006
Original:  Orig. Lang. \* MERGEFORMAT ENGLISH

HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL
Second session
Agenda item 2 


IMPLEMENTATION OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION 60/251 
OF 15 MARCH 2006 ENTITLED “HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL”

Letter dated 22 September 2006 from the members of the Commission of Inquiry on Lebanon addressed to the President of the Human Rights Council


	Following up on our letter of 5 September 2006,* the members of the Commission of Inquiry established pursuant to Human Rights Council resolution S-2/1 of 11 August 2006, would like to update you, and through you the Council, on progress made towards the fulfilment of the Commission’s mandate.

After the formal appointment of the commissioners on 1 September 2006, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) established a secretariat for the Commission headed by a secretary and comprising three human rights officers and a military analyst, as well as security, logistical and administrative staff.  OHCHR also procured all the necessary equipment and facilities in Geneva and in Lebanon, as required.  The United Nations Office at Geneva facilitated rapid recruitment and travel of the Commission and its staff and provided office space in Geneva.

	On 11 September 2006, the Commissioners began work.  On 15 September, Commission members met with the President of the Human Rights Council and three days later with the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms. Louise Arbour.


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*  Reproduced in annex I as received, in the language of submission only.

GE.06-14110
	During the period from 11 to 22 September the Commission undertook the necessary preparations for its visit to Lebanon.  The Commission will travel to Lebanon on 23 September 2006 for a visit of two weeks.  The Commission also began collecting and examining relevant written material.  Furthermore, Commissioners met with relevant United Nations organizations, bodies and agencies, namely the United Nations Mine Action Service, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, the World Health Organization and the United Nations Environment Programme, and the International Committee of the Red Cross, as well as three of the special rapporteurs who visited Lebanon recently.

	The Commission also agreed upon its terms of reference, a copy of which is attached.**

	The Commission intends to submit a report of its findings to the Council within two months.


(Signed): 	Dr. João Clemente BAENA SOARES
	Judge Mohamed Chande OTHMAN
	Professor Stelios PERRAKIS





















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** Reproduced in annex II as received, in the language of submission only.
Annex I

Annex II










A/HRC/2/4
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