A/HRC/26/37 academic institutions and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The Special Rapporteur is grateful to all of them for their important contributions in the form of expertise, research and other types of support. She appreciates the efforts of States to reply to the questionnaires sent to them and their cooperation prior to, during and after country visits throughout the 10 years of the mandate. A number of independent experts have developed background papers and other materials in the context of the thematic studies of the Special Rapporteur. In 2011, a human trafficking research panel was established at Oxford and Cambridge Universities to support the work of the mandate by providing assistance on background research; it has made a substantial contribution to the work of the Special Rapporteur. Others who have provided substantive support include the international human rights clinic at Duke University School of Law and the African Women’s Development Fund. The Special Rapporteur expresses her thanks to those mentioned and the many others who have provided the mandate with invaluable and much appreciated assistance over the past decade. 15. The Special Rapporteur also takes this opportunity to acknowledge the great contribution bravely and generously made by victims of trafficking to the work of the mandate and expresses her hope that their voices continue to guide and shape the mandate into the future. IV. Mandate, legal framework and working methods A. Mandate of the Special Rapporteur 16. In its decision 2004/110, the Commission on Human Rights appointed a Special Rapporteur “whose mandate will focus on the human rights aspects of the victims of trafficking in persons, especially women and children”. In the same decision, the Commission invited the Special Rapporteur to submit annual reports, including recommendations on measures required to uphold and protect the human rights of victims. The Special Rapporteur was further requested to respond effectively to reliable information on possible human rights violations, with a view to protecting the human rights of actual or potential victims of trafficking and to cooperate with relevant United Nations bodies, regional organizations and victims and their representatives. The establishment of the position of Special Rapporteur, with an explicit mandate to address the human rights aspects of trafficking, proved to be a critical circuit-breaker, affirming on behalf of the international community two key principles: first, that the human rights of trafficked persons should be at the centre of all efforts to combat trafficking; and second, that antitrafficking measures should not adversely affect the human rights and dignity of all persons concerned. 17. The initial mandate of the Special Rapporteur was for three years. In 2008, in resolution 8/12, the Human Rights Council extended the mandate for a further three years, in order to, inter alia, “promote the prevention of trafficking in persons in all its forms and the adoption of measures to uphold and protect the human rights of victims”. The appointment of the current mandate holder was based on this resolution. The resolution specifically requested the Special Rapporteur to, inter alia, promote the effective application of relevant international norms and standards and contribute to the further improvement of them; integrate a gender and age perspective throughout the work of the mandate; identify and share best practices, propose adequate responses to challenges and obstacles, in order to uphold and protect the human rights of victims, and identify gaps in protection in this regard; emphasize practical solutions, including through international cooperation; and respond to reliable information on alleged human rights violations with a view to protecting the human rights of actual or potential victims of trafficking. Specific 5