A/HRC/7/28 page 18 D. Thematic reports 1. Overview of thematic reports 60. The Special Representative fulfilled her reporting requirements to the Human Rights Council and the General Assembly by studying and analysing thematic areas relevant to defenders and the implementation of the Declaration. Along the years, she addressed new topics and built on previous reports to deepen knowledge and understanding of the obligations related to the implementation of the Declaration and to give visibility to the challenges faced by defenders. 61. In this section of the report, the Special Representative gives an overview of the thematic areas she addressed and how she followed up on them from one report to the other to build a coherent framework and discourse on human rights defenders. 62. In her report to the Commission on Human Rights in 2002 (E/CN.4/2002/106), the Special Representative studied the impact of the 11 September 2001 attacks on human rights defenders. She pointed to the danger that the terrorist attacks of 11 September and the global war on terrorism may be used by some Governments as a pretext to breach human rights and to restrict and attack human rights defenders. She continued to analyse this issue in her report to the General Assembly in 2007 on the right to protest in the context of the freedom of assembly, in which she focused on anti-terrorism measures and how they restrict the right to protest and freedom of assembly, particularly affecting peace demonstrations after 11 September (A/62/225, para. 83). She also developed her analysis in this area by addressing the impact of security legislation on defenders and the role and situation of defenders in emergencies (A/58/380). In her report to the General Assembly in 2005 (A/60/339), the Special Representative focused on the essential role of human rights defenders in the preservation, restoration and building of peace and security. 63. The Special Representative studied the enjoyment of freedoms which are especially instrumental for the work of defenders and in her reports, focused on freedom of association and the impact of restrictions on the work of defenders (A/59/401), and on freedom of assembly, first by analysing violations suffered by defenders in the exercise of this right (A/61/312) and then by addressing the right to protest in the context of freedom of assembly (A/62/225). 64. The Special Representative consistently addressed the specific situation of women defenders. She did so in her report to the Commission on Human Rights in 2002 (E/CN.4/2002/106, paras. 80-94) and in other reports, reiterating consistently that women defenders face specific risks and therefore need additional protection measures to work in a secure environment (E/CN.4/2006/95, para. 10, A/61/312, paras. 72-73, A/HRC/4/37, paras. 98-104, A/62/225, paras. 59-66). 65. In addition to her attention to the gender dimension in the work of defenders, the Special Representative also addressed the situation of defenders who enjoy less protection, are more at risk of violations, or both. In that context, she analysed the situation of defenders working on economic, social and cultural rights, those defending the rights of indigenous peoples and minorities and those defending the rights of LGBT persons (A/HRC/4/37).