E/CN.4/1989/44 page 2 I. MANDATE AND WORKING METHODS OF THE SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR 10. In his previous report, the Special Rapporteur included considerations on the subject of his interpretation of the mandate entrusted to him by the Commission on Human Rights (E/CN.4/1988/45, paras. 1-8), of which he particularly stressed the dynamic nature. He therefore considered it necessary in the initial phase to set out the elements of the problem before him, and in so doing identify factors which might be an impediment to the implementation of the provisions of the Declaration; to make a general inventory of incidents and measures inconsistent with those provisions; to emphasize their adverse consequences in respect of the enjoyment of fundamental rights and freedoms; and to recommend a number of remedial measures. In a second phase, the Special Rapporteur deemed it useful to take a more specific approach and to endeavour to identify more precisely particular situations where inconsistencies with the provisions of the Declaration might have been reported. For this purpose he specifically approached a number of Governments and requested clarification of allegations concerning their country in particular. He noted with satisfaction that most of the Governments in question had replied. He deems it essential at the present stage to continue with and to develop this dialogue, which clearly demonstrates a genuine interest in the issues raised in the context of his mandate, and sustains the hope of further mobilization with a view to reaching a solution. There is no question for the Special Rapporteur of making any judgement on those allegations in accordance with the mandate entrusted to him, his task is, rather, to consider and draw attention to incidents and measures inconsistent with the provisions of the Declaration and recommend remedial measures. 11. This method of direct dialogue with Governments, used experimentally during his previous mandate, has been backed up to some extent during the present period by the actual terms of Commission on Human Rights resolution 1988/55, adopted at the forty-fourth session, which invites the Special Rapporteur "to seek the views and comments of the Government concerned on any information which he intends to include in his report ...". 12. Another development which the Special Rapporteur views as positive is the extension of his mandate for two years, whereas previous mandates had been for only one year. This extension, the privilege of which the Special Rapporteur shares, and rightly so, with the other Special Rapporteurs concerned with the study of general human rights issues, seems to reflect increasing interest and trust on the part of the States members of the Commission on Human Rights in the established procedures for the consideration of certain types of violations, and a concern to ensure the Rapporteurs and the machinery in question optimum conditions for the fulfilment of their task. 13. As in his previous reports, the Special Rapporteur has endeavoured, as the terms of Commission on Human Rights resolution 1988/55 require, to respond effectively to credible and reliable information coming before him, and to carry out his work with discretion and independence. In order to do so, he drew on a very broad range of governmental and non-governmental sources, of very varied geographical origins, stemming both from organizations and from individuals. Among such sources, the Special Rapporteur endeavoured to take