A/HRC/34/52 of environmental rights. He has also been struck by the alarming reports, issued by many organizations, of the risks faced by persons committed to preserving natural resources and protecting the right to land. This led him to submit a report (A/71/281) to the General Assembly in 2016 on the situation of environmental rights defenders. His review of that situation enabled him to understand the complexity of systems that combine sophisticated enforcement techniques, unclear lines of accountability and national contexts in which corruption and impunity are rife. The Special Rapporteur intends to continue exploring certain aspects of this research by focusing his next report to the General Assembly on the roles and responsibilities of corporations in attacks on defenders. 24. According to Global Witness campaigner Ben Leather: The mandate holder has rightly identified environmental defenders as one of the groups that are most at risk. For us, whose work is to support these defenders, the mandate holder has addressed a number of critical issues in his innovative report that has proved useful in many ways. First and foremost, the report strongly and unequivocally stresses the importance of human rights defenders in fighting for our planet and our rights in the face of powerful private interests. Secondly, the report identifies the various actors who are seeking to hinder, threaten and attack defenders and highlights the changes that must take place, particularly in relation to private businesses and investment banks. Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, this report is far more than a mere document. It contains a straightforward analysis of the risk factors and clearly indicates how the numerous attacks against defenders can be stopped. It is by drawing inspiration from the strength of conviction, innovation and tenacity of defenders that the mandate can best support and protect them. 25. According to Marcos Orellana, Director of the Human Rights and Environment Program at the Center for International Environmental Law: The Center for International Environmental Law has prepared a report on the situation of environmental rights defenders in Latin America in collaboration with Article 19 and Vermont Law School. The contribution of the Special Rapporteur Michel Forst was very important in that it magnified the impact of this report, in particular through his support for the inclusion of specific provisions on defenders and the environment in the draft regional agreement on environmental democracy and access to information, public participation and access to justice in Latin America and the Caribbean. 26. Another particularly at-risk group is defenders of the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons. Discrimination and attacks against them are increasing at an alarming rate, partly as a result of the rise of religious fundamentalism around the world. In this regard, the Special Rapporteur welcomes the appointment of an Independent Expert on sexual orientation and gender identity and hopes to be able to collaborate with him to better protect persons working to defend the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons. 27. In view of the possible extension of his mandate, the Special Rapporteur would like to review the situation of persons acting to defend the rights of migrants. In the light of the situation in Europe and other parts of the world, such as Africa, Oceania and Central America, this subject seems particularly relevant. 28. The Special Rapporteur would also grant particular importance to following up on his and his predecessors’ recommendations regarding those groups of defenders that are most at risk. In that regard, it is essential that protective measures should take into account the specific risks faced by such groups. This entails giving them an active role in developing measures and mechanisms intended to protect them. GE.17-00986 7