or seminars with the coordinating committee and other relevant agencies and organizations (this could be funded through international technical cooperation programmes). The concept of the plan should incorporate both international norms and features of the local situation. In a series of meetings, the coordinating committee should seek to develop an outline for a plan that is ambitious but realistic and embodies substantive human rights commitments to be achieved within realistic time frames. This outline can then be used as the basis for consideration by the government and for consultation with the community. 8.2 Preparation of a national human rights status report – a baseline study 8.2.1 General approach to the baseline study A comprehensive and accurate baseline study is a key element in any systematic approach to the development of a national action plan. For a country to move forward towards better observance of human rights, it is important to know where it stands at present. Many of the national action plans that have been published to date are based on comprehensive human rights needs assessments that were carried out in some cases by the United Nations. As a result, some have provided a broad-brush account of human rights problems that need to be addressed, a statement of current policy and an overview of what has been or is being done to address these challenges. It must be acknowledged that such a detailed human rights baseline study may be perceived as a politically sensitive issue that governments are reluctant to embark upon. A baseline study will by its nature identify shortcomings, which may imply organizational responsibility for deficiencies, and this may in turn have negative implications. However, the willingness of the authorities to undertake a human rights assessment is itself an indication of the political will necessary for an effective national action plan process. Moreover, an accurate and frank assessment of pressing human rights problems is essential to identifying solutions. A thorough baseline study can, in addition, be a major exercise in itself. A baseline study that seeks to reach detailed conclusions on the state of observance of all areas of human rights requires investigation into health care, the education system and many other areas of service delivery as well as into the administration of justice and the existence of discriminatory attitudes. Countries frequently carry out studies of matters of concern, and experience has shown that a comprehensive study of just one issue can take a considerable amount of time and involve substantial resources. It may be suggested that, in extreme cases, a detailed baseline study may take years and large amounts of money to complete. If the baseline study is unreasonably expensive or prolonged, it may undermine the whole national plan process. In most cases, the solution is to find a commonsense approach to the preparation of the study. It is up to individual countries to decide how they should proceed in the light of their own circumstances, including available resources. 61