In June 1946 ECOSOC empowered the Commission on Human Rights to establish sub-commissions to advise it on the protection of minorities and the prevention of discrimination. The Commission set up just one sub-commission, the Sub-Commission on the Prevention of Discrimination and the Protection of Minorities. Made up of twelve members serving in their individual capacity as experts, the first meeting was held in November 1947. The Sub-Commission was mandated to undertake studies and make recommendations to the Commission.
During the second session of the Commission on Human Rights in 1947 the full concept of an International Bill of Rights as a three-part document - a declaration, a convention and measures of implementation - emerged. The result was first of all the Draft International Declaration on Human Rights, followed by a Draft International Covenant on Human Rights, and thirdly the Report on Measures of Implementation. Together these three parts are referred to as the International Bill of Rights.
The final text of the International Declaration of Human Rights was prepared at the third session of the Commission in 1948 and adopted on 10 December 1948 by the General Assembly.