A/HRC/29/37 112. What is needed to support those United Nations human rights mechanisms that respond directly to evidence that is often gathered by third parties is in-house capacity to conduct a triage-like function on digital material, as an initial assessment of the likely value of the source, before passing it on to external experts for full verification or other technical assessment. Such a “first opinion” and liaison capacity within the secretariat of international mechanisms, including the special procedures, would encourage greater use of potentially valuable information. 113. Of course, technological advances in gathering evidence remain only as effective, in real terms, as the accountability mechanisms to which they contribute and which are, in large part, external to the technology. In that sense, the improved information streams offered by ICTs are necessary, but not sufficient, for better protection of human rights, including the right to life. That underlines the importance of international human rights mechanisms, including the Human Rights Council and its special procedures, being able to fully interact with such materials. Some human rights NGOs — the so-called “second generation” — are keeping pace with the innovations of the “third generation.” It is vital that the “first generation” catch up. IV. Recommendations A. To the United Nations 114. OHCHR should appoint, on a consultancy basis and as soon as possible, a digital content specialist to provide advice with respect to information received from or produced by civilian witnesses and to serve as an interface with external networks of expertise in that area. That should be seen as a stopgap solution to ensure quick movement on that front. At the same time, OHCHR should, with the assistance of the appointed specialist, set about establishing longer-term capacity. 115. As international commissions of inquiry and fact-finding missions are ad hoc bodies that are likely to receive a large and increasing quantity of digital evidence, consideration should be given to expertise for analysing such material in the staffing requirements for those mechanisms. 116. More broadly, OHCHR should take steps to improve awareness of and to familiarize its staff and processes at all levels with the requirements of digital security. That involves the development of minimum standards of due diligence with respect to the digital security of sources. Guidelines for United Nations staff on the ethics of using information from open sources, especially social media, should also be developed in consultation with relevant partners. B. To regional human rights mechanisms 117. Regional human rights mechanisms should evaluate their capacity to receive and use digital material and to promote best practices in terms of digital security. Where necessary, they should liaise with OHCHR to increase that capacity. collaborating-formal-humanitarian-organizations, and http://digitalhumanitarians.com/content/ guidance-collaborating-volunteer-technical-communities. 22