28 PROMOTING AND PROTECTING MINORITY RIGHTS All material provided by individuals and States, as well as the decisions taken at the various stages of the procedure, remain confidential. This also applies to situations that have been discontinued. Communications submitted under the complaint procedure should be addressed to: Human Rights Council Branch Complaint Procedure Unit OHCHR-UNOG 1211 Geneva 10 Switzerland Fax: 41 22 917 90 11 E-mail: CP@ohchr.org Advisory Committee The Advisory Committee of the Human Rights Council replaces the former Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights. It consists of 18 experts, who serve in their personal capacity for renewable three-year terms. The experts are nominated by States (which are encouraged to consult with civil society before doing so) and elected by the Council. The Committee convenes for one or two sessions each year, for a maximum of 10 working days. The Committee provides research-based advice on a variety of thematic issues, upon request by the Council. It may also make proposals to the Council for enhancing its procedural efficiency or for further research. During its first two cycles, the Committee initiated research on a number of thematic issues. It submitted to the Council a draft declaration on human rights education and training, as well as reports on discrimination in the context of the right to food. Member States and observers – including States which are not members of the Council, specialized agencies, other intergovernmental organizations, national human rights institutions and NGOs in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council – are encouraged to participate in the work of the Advisory Committee; interested NGOs should contact the OHCHR Secretariat. The degree of participation is similar to that pertaining to the Human Rights Council (see above).35 Contacts and further information Various NGOs can facilitate your stay in Geneva and participation in Council sessions. Among them are: International Service for Human Rights (for information on coverage of minority issues at all United Nations meetings, training and strategy) Tel: 41 22 919 71 00 Fax: 41 22 919 71 25 E-mail: ishr@worldcom.ch Website: www.ishr.ch Mandat International (for accommodation, word-processing, documentation, office space, fax and e-mail services and photocopying) Tel: 41 22 959 88 55 Fax: 41 22 959 88 51 E-mail: info@mandint.org Specific rules for NGOs are spelled out at www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/hrcouncil/advisorycommittee/ ngo_participation.htm (accessed 29 November 2012). 35