9. At the 2nd meeting, on 3 March, a statement was made by the representative of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, in her capacity as a resource person in accordance with Economic and Social Council resolution 1997/227. 10. At the same meeting, the representative of India made a statement. 11. At the 3rd meeting, on 4 March, statements were made by the State Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Norway, and by the Federal Minister for Women’s Affairs and Consumer Protection of Austria. 12. At the 4th meeting, on 13 March, a statement was made by the representative of Cuba. 13. At the 5th meeting, also on 13 March, a statement was made by the representative of the European Women’s Lobby, a non-governmental organization in special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council. General exchange of views 14. At the 1st meeting, on 2 March, the Working Group, at the invitation of the Chairperson, held a general exchange of views on item 5 of the agenda of the Commission. 15. Delegations recalled that the conclusion of an optional protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women was a commitment of both the 1993 World Conference on Human Rights (Vienna) and the 1995 Fourth World Conference on Women (Beijing). They noted that the year 1998 marked the fiftieth anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and that it was five years since Governments had adopted the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action. They pointed out that the adoption of an optional protocol to the Convention would make 1998 the year of women’s human rights, thereby giving real meaning to the anniversary. 16. Delegations stressed the importance of concluding a strong protocol that would take account of the difficulties faced by women in accessing legal remedies for violations of their human rights but that would at the same time build on existing and widely accepted principles. The importance of concluding a strong, well-drafted text that could be widely accepted was emphasized. 17. Several delegations suggested that standing requirements should be broad, and there was also a suggestion that, although the protocol should be based on other instruments, it should contribute to the progressive development of international law. Accordingly, it was suggested that specific provisions relating to interim measures and follow-up should be included in the text. A number of delegations stressed the usefulness of an investigations procedure. 18. Several delegations were of the view that it was vital not to allow reservations to the protocol. ACTION TAKEN BY THE WORKING GROUP 19. At the 4th meeting, on 13 March, the Working Group adopted its draft report (E/CN.6/1998/WG/L.1), as orally corrected. It agreed that the revised draft optional protocol contained in document E/CN.6/1998/WG/L.2, as orally revised -77-