In 1946, at the first session of the Commission on Human Rights, the Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities was created. The Commission appointed twelve members in their individual capacity as experts in the fields. The Sub-Commission was charged with undertaking studies and making recommendations with regard to the prevention of discrimination and the protection of minorities.
In September 1951 ECOSOC decided that other existing organs of the United Nations could do the Sub-Commission's work and that it should not be called into session until 1954. The General Assembly reversed this decision and in 1952 the Sub-Commission was reconvened.
From 1952 on the work of the Sub-Commission became more focused with the initiation of a series of studies of discrimination in particular and limited fields: education, employment, politics, religious practices. Each study was completed by a special rapporteur.
In 1948 the General Assembly adopted a resolution requesting ECOSOC to instruct the Commission on Human Rights to examine the right to petition in conjunction with the draft covenant on human rights and measures of implementation. These records include a study prepared for the Commission as well as correspondence from governments, NGOs and individuals regarding the right to petition, in both national and international contexts.