E/CN.4/2000/9 page 5 reporting of such findings to judicial and investigative bodies. The Special Rapporteur is of the view that the manual will be an important tool for States in carrying out investigations concerning allegations of torture or illtreatment. Introduction 1. The mandate of the Special Rapporteur on torture, assigned since April 1993 to Sir Nigel Rodley (United Kingdom), was renewed for three more years by the Commission on Human Rights in its resolution 1998/38. In conformity with this Resolution, the Special Rapporteur hereby submits his seventh report to the Commission. Chapter I deals with aspects of the mandate and methods of work. Chapter II summarizes his activities in 1999. Chapter III contains a summary of communications sent by the Special Rapporteur and replies from Governments, from 11 December 1998 to 15 December 1999. Chapter IV contains the Special Rapporteur's conclusions and recommendations. 2. In addition to the above-mentioned resolution, several other resolutions adopted or reaffirmed by the Commission on Human Rights at its fifty-fifth session are also pertinent within the framework of the mandate and have been taken into consideration by the Special Rapporteur in examining and analysing the information brought to his attention. These resolutions are, in particular: 1999/31, "Independence and impartiality of the judiciary, jurors and assessors and the independence of lawyers"; 1999/33, "The right to restitution, compensation and rehabilitation for victims of grave violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms"; 1999/34, "Impunity"; 1999/35, "Extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions"; 1999/36, "Right to freedom of opinion and expression"; 1999/37, "Question of arbitrary detention"; 1999/38, "Question of enforced or involuntary disappearances"; 1999/39, "Implementation of the Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief"; 1999/42, "Elimination of violence against women"; 1999/47, "Internally displaced persons"; 1999/66, "Implementation of the Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognized Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms". I. MANDATE AND METHODS OF WORK 3. No mandate-related issues have arisen during the year under review. The methods of work of the Special Rapporteur have been those followed previously, as approved most recently by the Commission in its resolution 1999/32, paragraph 21, and by the General Assembly in its resolution 54/156, paragraph 16. In particular, he has continued to seek cooperation with holders of other Commission mandates to avoid duplication of activity in respect with country-specific initiatives. Thus, he has sent urgent appeals, transmitted information alleging violations within his mandate to Governments and sought missions to Member States, in conjunction with the following mechanisms: the Working Groups on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances and on Arbitrary Detention; the Special Rapporteurs on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions; the independence of judges and lawyers; the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression; violence against women, its causes and consequences; the situation of human rights in the Democratic Republic of the Congo; the Special Representative of the Commission on the