A/HRC/31/55 have played a leading role in developing and coordinating protection practices. For example, OSCE has developed Guidelines on the Protection of Human Rights Defenders to support partnerships between Governments and defenders aimed at addressing the challenges faced by the latter. Moving beyond the domestic implementation of protection practices, the European Union Guidelines on Human Rights Defenders set out regional policy objectives and practical initiatives for the European Union and its member States in support of defenders worldwide. The Guidelines are complemented by the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights, which provides financial assistance to organizations supporting the work of defenders. The Guidelines have provided a foundation for the development of national policies and plans of action in, for example, Finland, Ireland and the Netherlands. Other States, such as Norway and Switzerland, have also adopted national guidelines for supporting defenders. It is vital that such guidelines be disseminated widely so that defenders may be aware of how to engage with relevant actors concerning their protection, and that States allocate resources for the implementation of the guidelines. 100. The Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights has collaborated with civil society networks to develop recommendations that address the underlying conditions for a safe and enabling environment. Such forms of collaboration both allow for the mobilization of resources for research and ensure that the analysis reflects the situation on the ground. 101. Defenders have themselves organized regional and international networks to support and coordinate their activities. International civil society organizations with particular expertise in the protection of defenders have provided valuable support to these networks and the development of good practices and guidelines. B. Supporting the monitoring of and responses to the situation of defenders 102. Regional and international forums are also an important mechanism for monitoring the situation of defenders and responses to situations of risk. The Office of the Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights Defenders of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights monitors the situation of defenders and issues “precautionary measures”, requesting States to take action when defenders are at acute risk. Such urgent action procedures in regional organizations allow for a rapid and context-sensitive response to situations of risk. The Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe has raised cases of defenders at risk through his dialogue with authorities and intervened before the European Court of Human Rights in defenders-related cases.23 103. United Nations human rights mechanisms have supported the protection of defenders in a number of ways. The Special Rapporteur receives and acts on a large number of communications from defenders at risk. When possible, these communications prompt a discussion with State authorities, which results in their more effective protection. The treaty bodies, mandated to monitor the implementation of State parties’ obligations under the treaties, can consider individual communications and conduct inquiries and investigations through country visits. The universal periodic review has also provided a forum for considering the situation of defenders. Resolutions adopted by the Human Rights Council on the protection of defenders have provided normative language, reflecting the needs and circumstances of defenders around the world. 23 See www.coe.int/en/web/commissioner/human-rights-defenders. 19