A/HRC/17/34 I. Activities undertaken by the mandate holder 1. The current report is submitted by the Independent Expert on the question of human rights and extreme poverty, Magdalena Sepúlveda Carmona, in accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 8/11. The report reflects the Expert’s work in analysing the impact of recovery measures on the human rights of those living in extreme poverty. 2. Since her previous annual report (A/HRC/14/31), the Independent Expert has submitted a report to the General Assembly (A/65/259), in which she highlighted the importance of social protection measures in facilitating the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. The report made recommendations on the core elements of a rightsbased social protection system, including the meaningful integration of gender-related concerns. To prepare the report, the Expert convened a meeting, in collaboration with the Center for Women’s Global Leadership, which brought together experts from all regions. She also distributed a questionnaire to gather and analyse States’ experiences and good practices. 3. At the fifteenth session of the Human Rights Council, the Independent expert presented the report on her joint mission to Bangladesh with the Independent Expert on the issue of human rights obligations related to access to safe drinking water and sanitation (A/HRC/15/55). Additionally, in accordance with Council resolution 12/19, the Independent Expert submitted a progress report (A/HRC/15/41) with detailed recommendations on how to improve the draft guiding principles on extreme poverty and human rights. In order to prepare the report, the Expert convened a meeting in May 2010, in collaboration with Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, which was attended by experts working on human rights and development issues worldwide. She also consulted with various stakeholders and participated in two meetings with non-governmental organizations promoted by ATD-Quart Monde, and a meeting with human rights and development practitioners at Brandeis University. 4. During the current reporting cycle, the Independent Expert also visited Viet Nam (August 2010) and Ireland (January 2011). The Expert takes this opportunity to thank both Governments for the active support they provided to the missions. 5. In June 2010, the Independent Expert participated in the Latin American Regional Consultation on the draft general guidelines on foreign debt and human rights. In December 2010, she took part in the third Forum on Minority Issues. Additionally, during the reporting period, the expert participated in numerous events and held working meetings with Governments, United Nations agencies, the World Bank, donor agencies, academic institutions, non-governmental organizations and representatives of people living in poverty. II. Introduction 6. Since the onset of the global economic and financial crises, the Independent Expert has been committed to raising awareness about and conducting an analysis of the impact of the crises on the enjoyment of human rights by the most marginalized and excluded members of society who, despite being removed from the causes of the crises, have suffered disproportionately from them. In this regard, the Expert participated in the tenth special session of the Human Rights Council on the theme “The impact of the global economic and financial crises on the universal realisation and effective enjoyment of human rights”. She also submitted a written contribution to the United Nations Conference on the World Financial and Economic Crisis and Its Impact on Development in June 2009. 3