A/HRC/23/40 II. Activities of the Special Rapporteur 7. During the reporting period, the Special Rapporteur participated in multiple international and national events related to the issues he addressed in his previous reports such as freedom of expression in the Internet, prevention of hate speech, and the protection of journalists. He paid particular attention to national initiatives promoting the protection of journalists; in this regard, he participated in meetings on initiatives developed in Brazil, Colombia, Honduras and Mexico. He also participated in the "United Nations Inter-Agency Meeting on the Safety of Journalists and the Issues of Impunity", held in November 2012 in Vienna. 8. His last report to the United Nations General Assembly focused on prevention of hate speech and incitement to hatred.1 The same topic was addressed in a side event to the General Assembly jointly organized by the Special Rapporteur and the Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide in February 2013. In the same month, he further addressed these issues in the launch of the “Rabat Plan of Action on the prohibition of advocacy of national, racial or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence” in Geneva and in the Fifth United Nations Alliance of Civilizations Global Forum in Vienna. 9. The Special Rapporteur undertook a mission to Honduras from 7 to 14 August 2012. His main findings and recommendations on this visit can be found in the addendum to this report (A/HRC/20/40/Add.1). He was invited by the Indonesian Government to visit the country in January 2013. Regrettably, the Government requested the visit to be postponed and new dates for the visit are yet to be confirmed. 10. For the preparation of this report, the Special Rapporteur revised relevant studies and consulted with experts on matters related to the surveillance of communications. In December 2012, he participated in the Workshop on Electronic Surveillance and Human Rights organized by the Electronic Frontier Foundation. In February 2013, he organized an expert consultation for the preparation of this report which took place in parallel to the activities of the "World Summit on the Information Society+10 Meeting" held at the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Paris, where he also participated in the opening plenary panel. III. The evolution of technology of surveillance 11. Innovations in technology have facilitated increased possibilities for communication and freedom of expression, enabling anonymity, rapid information sharing, and crosscultural dialogues. At the same time, changes in technologies have also provided new opportunities for State surveillance and intervention into individuals’ private lives. 12. From the inception of the first form of remote communications, States have sought to intercept and monitor individuals’ private communications to serve law enforcement and national security interests. Through communications, the most personal and intimate information, including about an individual’s or group’s past or future actions, can be revealed. Communications represent a valuable source of evidence upon which the State can draw to prevent or prosecute serious crimes or forestall potential national security emergencies. 1 4 A/67/357.