All this strengthens your intervention and adds to your argument. It is more difficult for governments to deny your claims if you can clearly show violations of international human rights law. Your intervention should conclude with constructive recommendations for what action you would like to see happen. Think carefully about the recommendations you make, they are very important. They should be concrete and precise; try to avoid general recommendations, such as: ‘The government should respect the rights of minorities.’ Be precise, outline the exact steps the government needs to take. You can make recommendations to the specific UN meeting you are addressing, to your government, to other governments, to other UN bodies and agencies, and to the international community. Delivering your intervention There is a ‘speakers desk’ with a list of speakers for each agenda item. You need to register to speak by adding the name of your NGO to the list under the appropriate item. Give the requested number of copies of your intervention to the secretariat. These are for the interpreters and also for the secretariat to consult when they write the report of the meeting. The chair calls out names in the order on the speakers list. You must be in the room. If the chair calls your name and you are not there, you will lose your opportunity to speak under that agenda item. When you hear your name, raise your hand to indicate your presence. Your microphone will then be switched on. Do not start speaking until the chair indicates. Read your intervention slowly and clearly. Avoid the temptation to speak quickly so that you can say more within the time limit. Also be aware that if you are nervous, you will probably speak faster than usual. If you speak too fast, people will not be able to concentrate on what you are saying and the interpreters will not be able to keep up. Keep within the time limit. If your intervention is too long the chair may ask you to stop. After you finish your intervention you may be asked for copies. You should have at least 20 copies available for distribution to anyone interested, and you may want to make sure that your government representative gets a copy either before or after you speak. In order for your intervention to have the most impact, you should turn it into a press release for the media in your country and contact some of the journalists based in Geneva. 6.5 Special procedures of the Commission on Human Rights 46 Working Groups of the Commission on Human Rights Working Group Included in mandate Working Group on a draft declaration on the rights of indigenous peoples Working Group on an Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Working Group on arbitrary detention Working Group on enforced or involuntary disappearances Communications* Country visits Communications* Working Group on the right to development Working Group on situations Communications (1503 Procedure) Working Group of experts on people of African descent Working Group on the effective implementation of the Durban declaration and programme of action NOTE: * HAS ISSUED GUIDELINES FOR THE SUBMISSION OF COMMUNICATIONS. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON WORKING GROUPS, SEE: HTTP://WWW.UNHCHR.CH/HTML/MENU2/2/CHRWG.HTM Countries which are the focus of a Special Rapporteur/Special Representative/Independent Expert • Afghanistan • Belarus • Burundi • Cambodia • Chad • Cuba • Democratic Republic of Congo • Democratic People’s Republic of Korea • Haiti • Liberia • Myanmar/Burma • Palestinian territories occupied since 1967 • Somalia • Sudan • Uzbekistan 42 MINORITY RIGHTS: A GUIDE TO UNITED NATIONS PROCEDURES AND INSTITUTIONS