Annex III REPORT OF THE OPEN-ENDED WORKING GROUP ON THE ELABORATION OF A DRAFT OPTIONAL PROTOCOL TO THE CONVENTION ON THE ELIMINATION OF ALL FORMS OF DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN 1. The Open-ended Working Group on the Elaboration of a Draft Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women was convened pursuant to Economic and Social Council resolution 1995/29 of 24 July 1995 to consider a comprehensive report by the SecretaryGeneral, including a synthesis, on the views of Governments, intergovernmental organizations and non-governmental organizations on an optional protocol to the Convention, including views related to feasibility, taking into account the elements suggested by the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women in suggestion 7, adopted at its fourteenth session. a/ 2. At the 4th plenary meeting, on 12 March, the Vice-Chairperson of the Commission, Karin Stoltenberg (Norway) was designated Chairperson of the Working Group. Mr. Phakiso Mochochoko (Lesotho) presided at the 6th meeting of the Working Group, on 14 March. At the 7th plenary meeting, on 14 March, Aloisia Wörgetter (Austria) was designated Chairperson of the Working Group to replace Ms. Stoltenberg (Norway), who had resigned owing to unforeseen circumstances. 3. The Working Group met from 11 to 22 March 1996. It held 10 meetings (1st to 10th) and two informal meetings. It had before it the report of the Secretary-General on the elaboration of a draft optional protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (E/CN.6/1996/10 and Corr.1 and Add.1 and 2). 4. At the 1st meeting, on 11 March, the acting Chairperson opened the meeting and made a statement. The Director of the Division for the Advancement of Women made an introductory statement. 5. At the same meeting, in order to assist it in its deliberations, the Working Group was briefed by a member of the Human Rights Committee on the provisions, procedures and experience of the Committee under the first Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. He also responded to questions raised by delegations. 6. At the 2nd, 5th, 7th and 9th meetings, on 12, 13, 14 and 18 March, the Chairperson of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women made a statement and responded to questions raised by delegations with regard to specific elements proposed by the Committee in suggestion 7, as well as with regard to the working methods of the Committee in the examination of States parties’ reports. 7. At the 5th and 7th to 9th meetings, on 13, 14 and 18 March, the representative of the Centre for Human Rights responded to questions raised by delegations with regard to the practice and procedures of other United Nations human rights mechanisms. a/ Official Records of the General Assembly, Fiftieth Session, Supplement No. 38 (A/50/38), chap. I, sect. B. -106-