A/HRC/34/52 Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, or the legislation and national protection mechanisms developed in countries such as Brazil, Colombia, Côte d’Ivoire and Mexico. The role and position of the Special Rapporteur, as both a universal mechanism and an independent expert, have allowed him to take a comprehensive look at these issues and to shed light on the statements, which are sometimes critical, made by defenders about those in charge of such mechanisms. 19. In addition, the Special Rapporteur recently participated in drafting and promoting a model law on the protection of human rights defenders, an initiative fostered by the International Service for Human Rights which aims to help States to establish legislation that recognizes and protects such persons. 20. The Special Rapporteur plans to strengthen support for national mechanisms for the protection of defenders by holding consultations with them to determine trends and developments, enhance the sharing of good practices between such mechanisms and identify areas for improvement. Aware of the difficulties that currently hinder the implementation of these mechanisms, he wishes to use his technical expertise to help make these arrangements fully operational and effective. B. Identification of the challenges faced by the human rights defenders who are most at risk with a view to providing for more effective protection 21. Since the start of his mandate, the Special Rapporteur has sought to acquire an indepth understanding of the specific challenges faced by certain groups of defenders. Far from seeking to create categories of persons whose rights would be differentiated, he believed it was essential to analyse the causes and manifestations of the risks faced by some groups of defenders. This approach is essential to the task of proposing appropriate protection methods and providing better support to defenders working to promote fundamental rights. 22. The Special Rapporteur set up consultations with women defenders during each of his country visits. In total, over 15 meetings and consultations were held between June 2014 and January 2017 with the active support of women’s rights organizations such as JASS (Just Associates) and the Association for Women’s Rights in Development. While some may have found it difficult to appreciate the relevance of these exchanges, the feedback that the Special Rapporteur has received from participants has convinced him of the need to maintain this practice so that women defenders can express themselves independently of the representations made, often unconsciously, by some of their male counterparts. The Special Rapporteur therefore wishes to continue that process and make it part of all future field trips. According to JASS (Just Associates): In a context in which women defenders see their political participation threatened by a resurgence of violence and discrimination, the work of the Special Rapporteur Michel Forst has been essential in protecting and recognizing the critical contribution made by such women to the struggle for justice, equality and peace. The consultations held in different regions of the world and the communications issued by the mandate holder have helped to give a voice to hundreds of women defenders and women’s rights organizations that are at risk. These consultations have also made it possible to identify the specific risks faced by women defenders and have promoted the establishment of protection mechanisms that incorporate a gender perspective. 23. Since he first established contact with human rights defenders, the Special Rapporteur has received information on the situations of defenders working on all aspects 6 GE.17-00986