A/HRC/31/55 63. Some defenders work on issues that are political, culturally and socially sensitive – issues that other defenders within the same sociopolitical milieu might not support instinctively. Women defenders and defenders who work on sexual orientation and gender identity rights, for example, often struggle to have their rights recognized in certain contexts. It is important for defenders within the same context to understand and support one another, even if they focus on different rights. 64. In order for networks to remain inclusive, all networks should regularly assess the extent to which they connect to and support the work of marginalized, stigmatized and geographically isolated defenders. D. Protecting and supporting defenders, including in emergencies 65. A number of protection initiatives have been particularly helpful in protecting defenders in their work, such as protective accompaniment, regular contact and visits with defenders, trial monitoring, urgent appeals, public statements, emergency grants, and relocation initiatives. In order for these interventions to be effective, they need to be timely, accessible and appropriately tailored to the circumstances of defenders. It is vital to consult defenders themselves on the suitability of such interventions for their personal circumstances lest they inadvertently increase the risks that defenders face. 66. Several organizations use protective accompaniment – combining the physical presence of volunteers with advocacy and other activities – to safeguard defenders at risk and to expand their operational space.13 Accompaniment by local or international actors has helped to deter attacks and to provide psychological support to defenders, given that it demonstrates solidarity between and among defenders locally and transnationally. 67. Visiting and meeting with defenders at risk are an important of way of showing concern for their welfare and support for their work, and are invaluable for counteracting isolation and stigmatization among defenders. Field visits to defenders outside of capital cities, in particular, are a valuable way of engaging with and providing support to a broad range of defenders. 68. Defenders in prisons and under house arrest are often more vulnerable to rights violations, and visiting them can have a protective effect. In particular, the rights and security of defenders in long-term imprisonment should be monitored, and relevant State authorities should be held accountable for their protection. 69. Independent and objective trial monitoring is a way of showing concern for the fairness and effectiveness of judicial systems. By observing court proceedings, gathering information on the trial of defenders and analysing legal practices, trial monitors demonstrate support for defenders and contribute more broadly to the strengthening of judicial systems. The rising number of cases of malicious prosecution of defenders has made legal support critical. New initiatives have created networks of lawyers in Western countries who provide legal aid to threatened defenders. 14 70. In some countries, civil society organizations have established monitoring programmes that document and verify information on attacks against defenders, identifying patterns of violations and abuses. They maintain databases on defenders, monitoring the 13 14 12 See for example Peace Brigades International (www.peacebrigades.org/about-pbi/what-wedo/protective-accompaniment). See the programmes run by the American Bar Association (www.americanbar.org/groups/human_rights/ justice_defenders.html) and Avocats Sans Frontières (www.asf.be/action/).