A/HRC/13/22 I. Introduction 1. The present report is the second submitted to the Human Rights Council by the Special Rapporteur, and the ninth thematic report submitted by the mandate holder on human rights defenders since 2000. The report is submitted pursuant to Human Rights Council resolution 7/8. 2. In the present report, the Special Rapporteur focuses on the security situation of human rights defenders and the various protection measures implemented at the national, regional and international level to guarantee their physical safety. 3. Some 11 years after the adoption of the Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognized Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (the Declaration on Human Rights Defenders), which makes clear the commitments of Member States, relative progress has been achieved, but insecurity remains and defenders are still at risk. The daily lives of defenders are affected by threats, intimidation, arrests, detention and harassment because of their peaceful work for the promotion, protection and implementation of human rights. 4. The report contains an analysis of the security challenges faced by human rights defenders, an assessment of existing physical protection programmes and examples of good practices. 5. The Special Rapporteur has sent a questionnaire to States, NGOs and intergovernmental and regional organizations on the safety situation of human rights defenders and protection measures implemented. The Special Rapporteur would like to thank all States and organizations that have responded to this questionnaire. Much of this report is derived from the answers received. To accurately reflect the situation of human rights defenders in each region, a compilation of the replies appears in document A/HRC/13/22/Add.4. II. Activities during the reporting period A. Communications transmitted to States 6. Between 11 December 2008 and 10 December 2009, the Special Rapporteur sent 266 communications. Communications were sent to 75 States, and, at the time of writing, 90 responses had been received, which indicates a 34 per cent response rate. All communications sent during the period covered by this report, as well as responses received between 11 February 2009 and 10 February 2010, will be included in addendum 1 to the present report. B. Country visits 7. During the reporting period, the Special Rapporteur visited the Democratic Republic of the Congo from 21 May to 3 June 2009. A separate report on this visit has been submitted to the thirteenth session of the Human Rights Council as addendum 2 to the present report. 8. The Special Rapporteur visited Colombia from 7 to 18 September 2009. A separate report on this visit has been submitted to the thirteenth session of the Human Rights Council as addendum 3 to the present report. GE.10-10012 3