i E/CN.4/1991/56 page 2 I. MANDATE AND WORKING METHODS OF THE SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR 9. In his previous reports, the Special Rapporteur included considerations on the subject of his interpretation of the mandate assigned to him by the Commission (E/CN.4/1988/45, paras. 1-8; E/CN.4/1989/44, paras. 14-18). He particularly stressed its 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 to 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. 10. 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. 11. This method of direct dialogue with Governments, used experimentally during his previous mandates, has been backed up to some extent during the last three years by the actual terms of Commission on Human Rights resolutions 1988/35, 1989/44 and 1990/17, adopted at the forty-fourth, forty-fifth and forth-sixth sessions. They invite the Special Rapporteur "to seek the views and comments of the Government concerned on any information which he intends to include in his report". In this report, the Special Rapporteur has included the answers provided by Governments to a questionnaire which he addressed to them on 25 July 1990. The questions appearing in it were selected in the light of the dialogue which the Special Rapporteur has been able to establish with many Governments since taking up his mandate and reflect aspects which, in his opinion, call for clarification. 12. The Special Rapporteur welcomed the ^"ision of the Commission in resolution 1990/27 to extend his mandate -•.- a further two years. He considers that the decision will enable him to develop in depth his dialogue with Governments, both generally and specifically, and to offer them further opportunities of providing their comments on issues raised or on particular allegations transmitted to them. This will enable him to present a more comprehensive analysis to the Commission at the end of the two-year period. 13. As in his previous reports, the Special Rapporteur has endeavoured, as the terms of Commission on Human Rights resolution 1990/27 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 has drawn on a very broad range of governmental and non-governmental sources, of very varied geographical origins, stemming both from organizations and from