32 PROMOTING AND PROTECTING MINORITY RIGHTS language or are obviously politically motivated are not considered. To facilitate the consideration of reported violations, several mandates have developed questionnaires for those who wish to report.41 However, communications are considered even if they are not submitted on such a questionnaire. Several of the thematic mechanisms have a specific submission format, including those mandates which allow “urgent actions”. These include the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions; the Special Rapporteur on violence against women; the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention; the Working Group on Enforced and Involuntary Disappearances; the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression; and the Special Representative on human rights defenders. Developments subsequent to a report should always be brought to the attention of the rapporteur, expert or group, irrespective of whether they tend to disprove or confirm the allegation. This helps the mechanism to act more effectively and avoid mistakes. It is important to note that communications and responses received from Governments are confidential, until they are reported by mandate holders to the Human Rights Council. From 2011, all mandate holders’ communications are compiled by country in alphabetical and chronological order in common reports, presented at each regular session of the Council. For specific information on communication procedures, consult the web page of the particular special procedure.42 The special procedures may be contacted as follows: Quick Response Desk, Special Procedures Branch Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) Palais des Nations 8-14, Avenue de la Paix CH-1211 Geneva 10 Switzerland Fax: 41 22 917 90 06 E-mail: SPBInfo@ohchr.org (for general inquiries and information) urgent-action@ohchr.org (for individual cases only). Communications should indicate in the subject line of the e-mail or fax, or on the cover of the envelope, which special procedure is being addressed. As the contact address for communications is the same for all special procedures, clearly indicate the main subject or purpose of the correspondence; this will prompt a more timely response. It is also essential to indicate whether the correspondence is for the purpose of submitting information on a thematic issue or an individual complaint. Other types of information or requests (e.g., an invitation to attend a conference or a request to meet the mandate holders) should be addressed to the general e-mail address above, or to the generic addresses of individual mandates (available on the special procedures website). Mandate holders may carry out country visits to investigate the human rights situation at the national level or in pursuit of a thematic mandate, but such a visit may take place only with the agreement of the State concerned. Mandate holders typically write a letter of request to visit the country, and, if agreed, the State extends an invitation to visit. Currently, 89 States have issued See www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/SP/Pages/QuestionnairesforsubmittingInfo.aspx (accessed 29 November 2012). 41 The home page for all the special procedures is www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/chr/special/index.htm (accessed 29 November 2012). 42