A/HRC/28/63 120. While observing the working rules applying to special procedures mandate holders, the Special Rapporteur intends to interpret his mandate as widely as possible in order to make it as effective as possible, basing his approach on the results obtained by his predecessor and on the knowledge acquired and the working methods used. He means to explore new avenues and innovative working techniques, where that seems appropriate, and to inform the Council of his activities on a regular basis. 121. This first report to the Council constitutes a road map for the Special Rapporteur to establish a way forward for the activities that he has begun to undertake. The first regional consultations have given him a clear vision of the manner in which he will carry out the task entrusted to him by the Council. 122. The Special Rapporteur welcomes the extension of his mandate and will bear in mind the preamble and recommendations of resolution 25/18, which he sees as constituting the focus of his work in the future. 123. He intends to publish, at the end of his first three years in the mandate, an assessment of the implementation of his vision and his priorities, together with information on the difficulties and obstacles encountered, and to share this assessment with the members of the Council. V. Recommendations 124. Member States should: (a) Ensure that human rights defenders can exercise their functions within a national framework properly supported by the appropriate legislative and regulatory texts, taking into account regional and national specificities, and remove the obstacles that some national laws may place in the path of legitimate activities to promote and protect human rights engaged in by human rights defenders, with a view to providing them with more effective protection; (b) Combat impunity for threats and violations aimed at human rights defenders by mounting impartial enquiries and ensure that their perpetrators stand trial and that victims obtain compensation; (c) Respond more satisfactorily to communications received from the Special Rapporteur, by providing him with any information required, thereby facilitating a better understanding of the situations addressed in such communications and putting a stop to threats or rights violations directed at human rights defenders; (d) Extend an open invitation to the Special Rapporteur, allow him to conduct any visit that he wishes to undertake without restricting its duration or scope, and enable him to move around the country, outside the capital, particularly in countries with extensive territories, so that he can meet human rights defenders who are isolated and cannot travel; (e) Invite the Special Rapporteur to pay short follow-up visits, either directly or on the occasion of seminars, lectures or panel discussions, in order to enable him to consider the best way of assisting States to implement recommendations; (f) Pay particular attention to the most exposed groups: those who work for economic, social and cultural rights or minority rights; environmental defenders; defenders of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex rights; women defenders and those who work for women’s rights; defenders who work in the area of business and human rights; those who work in an area exposed to internal conflict or a natural 18 GE.14-25280