A/HRC/34/66 rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, including through sustained communications, advocacy and outreach initiatives. 40. OHCHR-Seoul has carried out a wide range of activities, including collecting information through interviews with persons who left the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and from other sources. The office has also undertaken advocacy activities through various platforms, such as social and mainstream media, public events and publications. In a report on the involuntary separation of Korean families OHCHR provides concrete recommendations to States concerned, civil society organizations and the international community to remedy the situation using a victim- and rights-centred approach.46 The lack of access to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea continues to be a key challenge in the comprehensive gathering of information. In this regard, the Special Rapporteur stresses the importance of engagement by the Government of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea with the office. The Special Rapporteur encourages the authorities to begin exploring areas in which discussion with OHCHR-Seoul could be initiated, such as human rights education. D. Civil society organizations 41. During visits in 2016 to Geneva (September), New York (October) and the Republic of Korea and Japan (November), the Special Rapporteur met with a large of number of civil society organizations dedicated to improving the human rights and humanitarian situation in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. The Special Rapporteur was impressed by the diverse methods applied by these organizations to address the complex situation in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. Some of these groups continue to document cases of violations and explore accountability for gross and systematic human rights violations. Other groups focus on providing humanitarian assistance in ways that may enhance the fulfilment of economic and social rights, particularly for the most vulnerable groups. Notably, these organizations have been able to work with the authorities at the national and local levels to implement programmes that contribute to the realization of some rights. The collaboration between national and international actors on issues concerning persons with disabilities and the joint assessments by the Government and humanitarian agencies after the August 2016 flood were cited as examples of how such work could have a positive impact. 42. The reports by the Government submitted to the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women and the Committee on the Rights of the Child refer to a number of institutions and organizations with different levels of association with the authorities. Nevertheless, there is reportedly no space in the country for independent civil society organizations. As provided by the Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognized Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (Declaration on Human Rights Defenders), individuals and non-governmental organizations have an important role to play and a responsibility to promote human rights and fundamental freedoms. The Special Rapporteur stresses that providing an enabling space for independent civil society organizations in the country is indispensable for the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to fulfil its international human rights obligations. 46 OHCHR, Torn Apart. 15