The Independent Commission for Human Rights a) Economic and Social Council Resolution 2448 The Economic and Social Council of the United Nations issued Resolution 244 on 22 June 1977, granting the Holy See the right to attend the meetings of the regional commissions, though according to the rules stated under the relevant jurisdictions that applied to the member states, but not members of the regional commissions. Just days previously, it also accorded Switzerland full membership in Europe’s Economic Council on 20 June 1971, enabling it to participate in all its meetings and present proposals and public policy statements regarding all the issues of its concern since 1977. The Holy See was able to participate, in its capacity as observer state, in the sessions of the Economic and Social Council in the region on equal footing with the UN member states that were not also members of the regional commissions9. b) General Assembly Resolution concerning the Holy See’s Contribution to the UN Budget General Assembly Resolution No. (58\B1), dated 23 December 2003, states the financial contribution of the Holy See to the General Administration of the United Nations according to the proportion designated to it as a non-member observer state based on the financial rates determined by the GA10. Also, Switzerland’s contribution to the budget of the United Nations was decided before it assumed full membership. c) General Assembly Resolution concerning the Holy See’s Participation in the Work of the UN11 General Assembly Resolution No. (58\314) dated 16 June 2004, and entitled Participation of the Holy See in the Work of the United Nations, is the first written resolution of its kind, effecting a milestone change regarding the rights and privileges of States with observer status at the UN. In this resolution, the General Assembly granted these states the right and privilege to participate in the conferences of the United Nations, its work and rounds and the international conferences held under the auspices of the GA or other bodies of the United Nations. Furthermore, it requested the Secretary-General of the United Nations to set forth the relevant bases and procedures to ensure the implementation of the resolution12. 8 9 10 11 12 10 See the text of the decision in Appendix (3) ECOSOC resolution 1600 (LI) http://www.un.org/en/ga/contributions/nonmember.shtml Content of the resolution in Appendix No. (2). General Assembly Resolution A/58/314, Participation of the Holy See in the Work of the United Nations.