A/HRC/13/22 IV. Conclusions and recommendations 111. The Special Rapporteur commends countries that have developed protection programmes to enhance the security of human rights defenders and urges them to implement the recommendations contained in this report. 112. The Special Rapporteur is concerned about the paucity of practical initiatives to physically protect human rights defenders effectively. Only a few countries have adopted legislation or taken effective measures to put an end to the numerous and violent attacks against defenders. Impunity continues to prevail and no specific compensation mechanisms for human rights violations committed against human rights defenders have been created. 113. The Special Rapporteur would like to recommend to States the following minimum guidelines regarding protection programmes for human rights defenders: (a) Human rights defenders should be consulted throughout the setting up or review of protection programmes; (b) The structure of a protection programme should be defined by law; (c) In federal States, the structure of a protection programme should be defined by federal legislation. The administration of such a programme should be overseen by the Federal Government even in cases where it is in practice administered by States; (d) Protection programmes should include an early warning system in order to anticipate and trigger the launch of protective measures. Such a system should be managed centrally and risk assessment should involve different groups of human rights defenders. The seasonal changes and examples of insecure situations mentioned above should be taken into account when designing such systems; (e) Specific trainings on human rights, gender issues and on the Declaration on Human Rights Defenders should be a prerequisite for the selection of police and other law enforcement officials that would be involved in the programme; (f) The physical protection of defenders should not be outsourced to third parties unless they are properly trained. Their selection and recruitment should be made with the consultation of human defenders; (g) Adequate financial resources should be devoted to such programmes. In this regard, a better assessment of the security needs of human rights defenders will enable States to better cost such programmes. Third States should contribute to the development or review of sustainable and well-financed protection programmes. 114. Furthermore, the Special Rapporteur: (a) Urges States to: • Refrain from stigmatizing the work of human rights defenders. Recognition of the status and role of human rights defenders and the legitimacy of their activities in public statements is the first step to preventing or at least reducing threats and risks against them. • Investigate complaints and allegations on threats or human rights violations perpetrated against human rights defenders in a prompt and effective manner, and initiate appropriate disciplinary, civil and criminal proceedings against the perpetrators to ensure that impunity for such 20 GE.10-10012