A/HRC/38/50 9. The refusal of the Eritrean authorities to address human rights issues with the Special Rapporteur and their selective engagement with the international community on these issues are symptomatic of a broader context of denial and rejection, suggesting that the situation of human rights in the country remains critical. B. Methods of work 10. The Special Rapporteur has adopted a victim-centred approach and relied on information provided by victims, their families and witnesses in the diaspora, including in Africa, Europe and North America, during confidential interviews. Other interlocutors have come from all walks of life, including academics, diplomats and other stakeholders, such as civil society organizations, journalists, lawyers and health-care professionals. Information obtained from various sources has been cross-checked independently and the findings corroborated. 11. Over the years, the Special Rapporteur has established a broad network of sources with diverse backgroundsin various locations to gather information on human rights issues. The “do no harm” principle and concerns for the protection of victims, witnesses and family members have guided her when deciding what is safe to be disclosed publicly. She has not used details shared with her that have not met this threshold defined by the need to protect her sources. 12. The Special Rapporteur has also used other sources of information, such as publicly available reports, including those from the Government of Eritrea and pronouncements made by government officials through the media. Furthermore, she relied on reports and publicly available information from United Nations system organizations and agencies. C. Activities since July 2017 13. On 19 October 2017, the Special Rapporteur addressed a meeting organized by civil society to examine the situation of Eritrean refugees and asylum seekers. The meeting, which took place in Brussels, sought to identify the root causes behind the consistently high number of Eritreans fleeing the country, including children. 14. On 26 October 2017, the Special Rapporteur briefed the Third Committee at the seventy-second session of the General Assembly. She updated the Committee on the situation of human rights in Eritrea, which remained alarming, focusing on deaths in custody; mass arrests and detention used to punish, intimidate and create an atmosphere of fear; violations in the context of the indefinite military/national service; the lack of freedom of expression and religious freedom; and the continuing exodus of Eritrean refugees. She highlighted the need for refugee-receiving countries to close protection gaps in their policies. She also appealed to the international community to heed the calls by the commission of inquiry on human rights in Eritrea to ensure accountability for past and ongoing human rights violations and crimes against humanity. 15. From 27 February to 5 March 2018, the Special Rapporteur undertook a mission to the United States of America, where she met with representatives of the Government, including the State Department. She also met with recently arrived Eritrean refugees, Eritreans in the diaspora and civil society organizations. From 6 to 9 March 2018, the Special Rapporteur visited Canada to hold discussions with representatives of different governmental departments, including Global Affairs Canada and the Department of Justice. She also met with Eritreans in the diaspora. On 7 March 2018, she participated in a panel discussion at the University of Ottawa. The Special Rapporteur undertook a mission to Greece from 16 to 20 April 2018 to meet with government officials, civil society organizations, Eritreans and other stakeholders. 16. Issues discussed during the missions to the United States, Canada and Greece included the situation of human rights in Eritrea and protection for refugees. During her meetings with different stakeholders, the Special Rapporteur explored possible avenues for ensuring accountability, stressing that impunity should not be allowed to prevail; there was a need to 4