A/HRC/22/47 perform a number of services which are available to defenders and other individuals, including legal assistance, witness protection, financial assistance and medical assistance to victims of violations. The Philippines Commission noted that it is working on consolidating its services available to defenders, which include a focal point for cases pertaining to them. Submissions from NGOs confirmed that such consolidation is needed. 89. The Special Rapporteur notes that in a number of Member States where national institutions have resources dedicated specifically to the protection of human rights defenders, she has received information indicating a lack of effectiveness, responsiveness and transparency in the proceedings. Human rights defenders have in many cases reported that once a complaint is lodged with the institution, it is difficult to find out what action has been taken, if any. National institutions should ensure transparency in complaints handling, especially in urgent cases. The example referred to above of the recommendations of the institution being made public is commendable, although this needs to be assessed according to the situation in order to ensure the security of the defender(s) affected is not compromised. It is also important that national institutions clearly communicate to human rights defenders what sort of protection they are able to provide them in order to manage expectations and ensure defenders can do a proper security assessment in relation to their own situation. 90. The Special Rapporteur is concerned about accounts of a lack of responsiveness and effectiveness among national institutions in their response to violations reported by human rights defenders, as this discourages defenders from filing cases under the mechanisms that were designed to protect them. She reiterates the importance of institutions working closely with civil society in the development of protection policies (A/HRC/13/22, para. 113(a)). Comprehensive policies and guidelines on protection of human rights defenders should be developed and disseminated by national human rights institutions. Furthermore, resources dedicated to the protection of defenders need to be sufficient, and national institutions should reflect this in their proposed budgets to Governments. B. Advocacy in favour of a conducive work environment for defenders 91. As provided for in the Paris Principles, a key function of national institutions should be their ability to pronounce opinions and recommendations on the domestic legal framework in an effort to bring this into compliance with the country’s international human rights obligations. In several Member States, national institutions have fulfilled this function in a proactive manner. For example, in Serbia, the Protector of Citizens drafted on its own initiative a law to ensure whistle-blowers are protected from retaliation when submitting complaints to public authorities. 92. Some national institutions have entrusted their focal points for human rights defenders to monitor the legal framework affecting their activities. The human rights defenders desk within the Uganda Human Rights Commission reviews draft legislation relevant to defenders on a regular basis, informing the Commission’s inputs to the Government in this context. 93. The Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission works with advocacy committees made up of NGOs in Afghanistan to advocate for increased respect for human rights, including the protection of human rights defenders. 94. In other cases, national institutions engage actively with Government authorities to create awareness about defenders and the importance of their work. The National Human Rights Commission of India has organized workshops, trainings and seminars with State officials to sensitize them in this regard. 16