Recalling its resolutions 5/1 on institution-building of the United Nations Human Rights Council and 5/2 on the Code of Conduct for Special Procedures Mandate-holders of the Human Rights Council, of 18 June 2007, and stressing that the mandate-holder shall discharge his/her duties in accordance with those resolutions and the annexes thereto, Taking note of the report of the Secretary-General on the rights of persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities submitted to the Council at its fourth session (A/HRC/4/109), in which he recommended that the Council should maintain and improve existing mechanisms, including a special procedure, 1. Commends the independent expert on minority issues for the work that she has undertaken so far, for the important role that she has played in raising the level of awareness of and in giving added visibility to the rights of persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities, and for her ongoing efforts to promote and protect their rights in order to ensure equitable development and peaceful and stable societies, including through close cooperation with Governments, relevant United Nations bodies and mechanisms and non-governmental organizations; 2. Expresses its appreciation to Governments and intergovernmental and nongovernmental organizations that have given special attention to the promotion and protection of the rights of persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities and have supported the work of the independent expert; 3. Decides to extend the mandate of the independent expert on minority issues for a period of three years and requests the independent expert: (a) To promote the implementation of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities, including through consultations with Governments, taking into account existing international standards and national legislation concerning minorities;