A United Nations fact-finding mission, also called a United Nations commission of inquiry, is a United Nations mission carried out with the intention to discover facts. They are often sent to troubled areas. Fact-finding missions have been sent by the UN to a number of trouble-spots over the past 50 years, on a pragmatic, occasional, case-by-case basis. There are legal and political parameters for fact-finding, which stresses its value and opens the door for more comprehensive, ongoing use of this tool, particularly by the Secretary-General. History Fact-finding was first established during the Hague Convention of 1907, which dealt with international commissions of inquiry. Declaration The draft declaration, was adopted without a vote by a Special United Nations Committee at the end of a three-week sessions in New York held 4–22 February 1991. On 9 December 1991, the General Assembly adopted resolution 46/59; Declaration on Fact-finding by the United Nations in the Field of the Maintenance of International Peace and Security. The resolution emphasized "...that the ability of the United Nations to maintain international peace and security depends to a large extent on its acquiring detailed knowledge about the factual circumstances of any dispute or situation" and "...to encourage States to bear in mind the role that competent organs of the United Nations can play in ascertaining the facts in relation to disputes or situations." Characteristics The declaration that defines and institutionalizes the use of such missions states that it is not only a tool to gather information, but also to signal concern over a potentially explosive situation. It states that fact-finding should be comprehensive, objective, impartial, and timely. It should be used at the earliest possible stage to prevent disputes. Fact-finding missions may be undertaken by the Security Council, the General Assembly and the Secretary-General, with the consent of the "receiving State". Nations, however, are asked to receive and cooperate with these missions. Refusals to do so should be explained. Role of the Secretary-General The Secretary-General should monitor conflicts which may threaten international peace and security, and bring relevant information to the attention of the Council. He should be able to mount an emergency mission in case of need. The Secretariat's early warning capability should be enhanced. The Secretary General's Mechanism for Investigation of Alleged Use of Chemical and Biological Weapons, requests the Secretary-General to carry out investigations in response to reports that may be brought to his attention by