Element 16 84. Several delegations supported the establishment of a working group of the Committee. This would be in line with the practice of the Human Rights Committee, and would be an effective and efficient method for preparing the work of the Committee as a whole. At the same time, several delegations pointed out that the term "its responsibilities", used in the element, was inappropriate as the Committee would not delegate any authority to the working group. A working group could simply have responsibility for preparing or expediting the handling of communications for the Committee as a whole. They emphasized that only the Committee as a whole could have the power to adopt decisions, including decisions on the admissibility of communications. Thus, the following formulation was proposed: "responsibilities for the preparation of consideration of cases ...". 85. Some delegations, noting that the element covered simply a method of work of the Committee, proposed that the provision should be dealt with in the Committee’s rules of procedure, instead of in the optional protocol. 86. Some delegations noted the need for further clarification of the nature, function, role and power of a working group of the Committee. The different types and functions of working groups established under human rights treaty bodies, and under Charter-based procedures, were identified. General comments on an inquiry procedure 87. Some delegations supported the inclusion of an inquiry procedure in an optional protocol as a means of dealing with serious and systematic violations of women’s human rights. The existence of a similar procedure under the Convention against Torture, article 20, and at regional levels, was noted. The Working Group was informed, however, that this procedure under the Convention against Torture had only been used once. Other delegations expressed doubts about the need to have the inquiry procedure proposed in suggestion 7 included in the optional protocol. Some delegations suggested that alternatives for achieving the intention behind an inquiry procedure should be explored fully. Some delegations noted that any new instrument should enjoy the broad acceptance of States parties. 88. Several delegations suggested that possibilities within the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women itself, which would apply to all States parties, should be pursued, such as developing an inquiry procedure under the Committee’s existing mandate and rules of procedure. The establishment of an early warning mechanism under the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination was cited as an example. Introduction of time-bound follow-up to the Committee’s concluding comments on States parties reports under article 18 was suggested. Other delegations recommended further study of the possibilities for addressing serious and systematic violations in the framework of reporting under article 18, including follow-up to the Committee’s concluding comments, and the request for in accordance with article 18.1 (b). 89. Some delegations proposed that element 7 be drafted to enable the Committee to deal with situations of serious and systematic violations under a communications procedure. Universal accession to existing instruments should be promoted. Other delegations emphasized the need to strengthen existing procedures, including the communications procedure of the Commission on the Status of Women and the 1503 procedure. -118-