A/HRC/22/47 19. On 19 April 2012, an OHCHR staff member participated in the conference entitled “The Internationalization of the Protection of Human Rights and Human Rights Defenders” organized by Lawyers Without Borders in London, United Kingdom. 20. The Special Rapporteur was the keynote speaker at a regional conference organized by the OHCHR Regional Office for the Middle East in Beirut, Lebanon, on 22 and 23 May 2012 to promote enhanced respect for fundamental freedoms. 21. On 18 June 2012, the Special Rapporteur hosted a round table in Geneva in collaboration with Protection International on national mechanisms and public policies for the protection of human rights defenders. 22. On 24 and 25 October 2012, an OHCHR staff member participated in a conference in London, United Kingdom, organized by Peace Brigades International entitled “Women Human Rights Defenders: Empowering and Protecting the Change-makers”. III. National human rights institutions A. Introduction and methodology 23. As independent public bodies, ideally established by the Constitution and an act of Parliament, national institutions are in a unique position to guide Governments regarding their human rights obligations and ensure international human rights principles and standards are incorporated into the law and mainstreamed and implemented in public policymaking. The Special Rapporteur believes that national institutions which operate in compliance with the Paris Principles relating to the Status of National Institutions,5 and their members and staff, can be considered as human rights defenders, as they strive to promote and protect human rights. In a number of countries, they face significant challenges and are exposed to attacks and threats,6 as well as intimidation, harassment, arrest and detention in connection with their human rights activities. On a number of occasions, the Special Rapporteur and her predecessor have expressed concerns about the challenges faced by members and staff of national institutions both through communications sent to Governments and in recommendations issued after country visits. 24. Interaction between national institutions and individuals and associations working for the defence and promotion of human rights is essential. National institutions can work in tandem with defenders to assess the human rights situation on the ground and ensure accountability for human rights violations, hence becoming an essential actor in the fight against impunity. These institutions can also play a vital role in ensuring adequate protection for defenders when needed. 25. With this report, the Special Rapporteur intends to highlight the vital role played by national institutions in the promotion and protection of human rights and provide recommendations, in particular to States and national institutions, with a view to ensuring that these institutions operate in an environment that is conducive for them to carry out their activities. 26. When national institutions are able to operate independently and efficiently, they are also more capable of offering adequate protection to individuals and organizations that may be targeted due to their human rights work. The protection of human rights defenders was identified by the national institutions survey conducted by OHCHR in 2009 as “one of the 5 6 6 A/RES/48/134, annex. E/CN.4/2006/95, paras. 76-77.