A/HRC/45/57 20. While the conflict and its negative impact on infrastructure have made it difficult to access the media, such as local radio broadcasting, it is important for the National Commission to develop a communication strategy in order to enhance its visibility throughout Yemen and to disseminate information about its mandate and its role. The National Commission could also expand and update the information contained on its website and on popular social media sites. 21. OHCHR notes that in its seventh report, the National Commission reported that it had engaged with civil society representatives and had received factual information from them about human rights violations and abuses that had assisted it in discharging its mandate. In order to effectively implement its mandate, the Commission must continue strengthening its engagement with civil society and enhance its outreach. III. Technical assistance provided by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights 22. Pursuant to Human Rights Council resolutions 36/31, 39/16, 39/21, 42/2 and 42/31, OHCHR has continued to provide technical assistance and capacity-building to the National Commission. In consultation with OHCHR, the National Commission identified priority areas for the technical assistance it requires. OHCHR conducted several training activities for the commissioners and staff of the Commission in Ethiopia, Jordan, Lebanon, Malaysia, Qatar, Switzerland and Yemen, as detailed below. 23. In carrying out the mandate assigned to it by the Human Rights Council in its resolutions 42/2 and 42/31, OHCHR has been guided by the principles of independence, impartiality, objectivity, credibility and professionalism. OHCHR held regular collaborative and performance consultations with the Chair, commissioners and staff of the National Commission to define the purpose of the capacity-building activities. 24. Moreover, adherence to the principles of objectivity, transparency, impartiality and professionalism has been at the core of the capacity-building provided by OHCHR to strengthen the National Commission, its functioning and its credibility. Presidential Decree No. 50 of 2017 defines the methodology of the National Commission as being based on the international investigation standards that are used by similar commissions, and in accordance with those standards.13 25. Between March 2016 and September 2020, OHCHR developed and implemented 22 activities to enhance the investigative capacity of the National Commission. The activities focused on international human rights law, international humanitarian law and international criminal law, including the elements of the crime of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes, and on methodologies for human rights monitoring, investigation and reporting. All activities reflected a gender-sensitive approach. 26. From 7 to 10 March 2016, in Geneva, OHCHR organized a first training workshop for the commissioners on international human rights law and international humanitarian law. OHCHR provided the commissioners with material in Arabic and English on international humanitarian law and the methodology for human rights investigations, including independence, professionalism and adherence to international fair trial standards. Discussions were held on those topics. 27. On 12 May 2016, in Amman, OHCHR organized a seminar for the National Commission to discuss improving information exchange between the National Commission and OHCHR. The cooperation between the National Commission and OHCHR noticeably improved following that meeting. 28. From 2 to 6 June 2016, also in Amman, OHCHR organized a training workshop for 23 field monitors of the Commission to strengthen their skills in human rights and gendersensitive monitoring and reporting in accordance with international standards. That provided an opportunity to discuss the major challenges the monitors faced in their daily work and to brainstorm solutions. 13 See Presidential Decree No. 140 of 2012, art. 2 (2). 5