A/HRC/19/55 approach as a necessary recognition and an attempt to contribute to the protection of those defenders most exposed to attacks and violations. 22. In 2007, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on human rights defenders dedicated a full report to defenders working on economic, social and cultural rights (A/HRC/4/37), including those working on land and environmental issues, where she highlighted that not only are the rights upheld by this group an inalienable part of the international human rights framework, but also that their activities are fully protected by the Declaration on Human Rights Defenders. 23. In 2008, the Special Rapporteur presented her first report to the General Assembly (A/63/288), in which she laid down her vision for the mandate. In that report, she indicated that she would maintain and strengthen the focus of the mandate on those groups of defenders most exposed to risks. At that stage, she also identified several groups of defenders particularly targeted for their activities, including women human rights defenders; those working to promote economic, social and cultural rights, including land and environmental issues; and those defenders working for the rights of indigenous peoples and minorities. 24. In 2011, the Special Rapporteur presented her third report to the Human Rights Council (A/HRC/16/44) where she focused on the situation, risks and challenges faced by women human rights defenders and those working on women’s rights and gender issues. B. Risks and challenges faced by the selected groups of defenders at risk 25. This section focuses primarily on an analysis of the communications sent by the mandate holder during the period December 2006–May 20112 concerning the selected groups of defenders and their family members, that is, journalists and media workers; defenders working on land and environmental issues; and youth and student defenders. The analysis aims at identifying the nature of the activities carried out by the alleged victims, as well as the reported violations and perpetrators, with a view to identifying possible trends, including patterns of impunity that may emerge. 26. The data used and trends identified in this report are based mostly on the allegations received and acted upon by the mandate holder. It therefore does not aim to capture the full picture of the situation of these defenders worldwide. Furthermore, it is acknowledged that some of the communications have been responded to by Governments. While the Special Rapporteur wishes to thank those Governments who replied to the communications sent, she remains concerned regarding the gravity of many of the allegations received, including in cases wherein the facts may have been disputed. Where it is deemed necessary, numbers of communications and regions and States to which they were sent have been mentioned. 27. Between December 2006 and the first five months of 2011, the mandate holder sent nearly 1,500 communications to Governments, an average of 330 cases per year, including allegation letters and urgent appeals. Of these communications, about 25 per cent concerned journalists and media workers defending human rights; defenders working on land and environmental issues; and youth and student defenders. 28. The communications sent during the mentioned period concerning these groups of defenders are analysed in detail below. Figures provided in the different sections are the 2 6 See the communications report of special procedures, A/HRC/18/51 and Corr.1; and summaries of cases transmitted to Governments and replies received by the Special Rapporteur contained in documents A/HRC/16/44/Add.1, A/HRC/13/22/Add.1 and Corr.1, A/HRC/10/12/Add.1 and A/HRC/7/28/Add.1.