A/HRC/26/33 I. Introduction 1. In the present report, the Special Rapporteur on the rights on the human rights of internally displaced persons provides an account of his activities since his previous report to the Human Rights Council.1 He also examines the African Union Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons in Africa (Kampala Convention), giving an outline of the context of its adoption, its key provisions and their concrete impact on enhancing the protection of and assistance to internally displaced persons, taking stock of the progress made in its implementation and, in particular, the importance of its domestication. II. Mandate and activities of the Special Rapporteur A. Mandate 2. In accordance with his mandate, as described by the Human Rights Council in its resolution 23/8, the Special Rapporteur has endeavoured to promote a rights-based approach to internal displacement through dialogue with Governments and mainstreaming and advocacy activities within the United Nations and regional organizations. He expresses his appreciation to the Governments that have issued invitations or otherwise engaged with the mandate holder and to the various United Nations and other international organizations that have provided support for his activities. B. Engagement with countries 1. Georgia 3. Following up on the last visit conducted by the previous mandate holder in 2009, the Special Rapporteur undertook a visit to Georgia from 10 to 14 June 2013 at the invitation of the Government. He visited collective centres and settlements for internally displaced persons in Western Georgia, including Shida, Kartli and Poti, and held meetings with displaced persons themselves. He was, however, unable to visit Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region/South Ossetia. 4. The Special Rapporteur commends the Government’s commitment to provide durable solutions for all internally displaced persons in Georgia and to address the issue of those displaced by natural or human-induced disasters. He noted, however, that there was an urgent need to continue to improve the living conditions and livelihoods of internally displaced persons in the collective centres he visited, and called for the adoption of an integrated approach to address the situation of all displaced persons. He welcomes new opportunities in this regard and urges the Government to consult the said persons and to enable their participation in decisions affecting them in order to achieve durable solutions in safety and dignity, while guaranteeing that their choices are informed and voluntary. 5. The Special Rapporteur notes that the search for durable solutions is still hampered by political deadlock, and calls upon all parties concerned urgently to address the issue of internally displaced persons as a humanitarian one to allow displaced persons wishing to return to their areas of origin to do so voluntarily in safety and dignity. He expresses his 1 A/HRC/23/44 and Adds.1-2. 3