E/CN.4/2001/66 page 8 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 that resolution, the Special Rapporteur hereby submits his eighth report to the Commission. Chapter I deals with aspects of the mandate and methods of work. Chapter II summarizes his activities in 2000. Chapter III contains a summary of communications sent by the Special Rapporteur and replies from Governments, from 15 December 1999 to 15 December 2000. Chapter IV contains the Special Rapporteur’s conclusions and recommendations. 2. In addition to the above-mentioned resolution, several other resolutions adopted 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: 2000/31, “Extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions”; 2000/32, “Human rights and forensic science”; 2000/33, “Implementation of the Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief”; 2000/36, “Question of arbitrary detention”; 2000/37, “Question of enforced or involuntary disappearances”; 2000/38, “The right to freedom of opinion and expression”; 2000/39, “Human rights in the administration of justice, in particular juvenile justice”; 2000/41, “The right to restitution, compensation and rehabilitation for victims of grave violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms”; 2000/42, “Independence and impartiality of the judiciary, jurors and assessors and the independence of lawyers”; 2000/45, “Elimination of violence against women”; 2000/53, “Internally displaced persons”; 2000/61, “Human rights defenders”; and 2000/68, “Impunity”. 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 2000/43, paragraph 25, and by the General Assembly in its resolution 55/89, paragraph 19. In particular, he has continued to seek cooperation with holders of other Commission mandates to avoid duplication of activity in respect of 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 Group 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; human rights defenders; the situation of human rights in the Democratic Republic of the Congo; the Special Representative of the Commission on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran; the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on internally displaced persons. However, the Special Rapporteur notes that the decision of the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances not to participate in joint actions with other mechanisms has made impossible joint activities that would otherwise have been indicated.