A/HRC/41/40 7. Promoting and facilitating the participation of internally displaced persons 71. The Guiding Principles restate the right of IDPs to participate in programmes and decision-making processes affecting them. However, experience shows that IDPs are frequently not fully consulted and their participation is minimal. As the Special Rapporteur has highlighted in her report on the participation of IDPs (A/72/202), the principle of “nothing about us without us” applies equally to IDPs, who should be consulted at all stages of displacement. National human rights institutions have facilitated such participation, and their unique position among national and international actors means that they are well placed not only to represent the concerns of IDPs at different forums, but to facilitate the representation of community members where appropriate. 72. National human rights institutions can assist IDPs to organize and mobilize to build or strengthen their ability to determine and realize their own priorities and gain access to relevant forums to shape and inform programme design and strategy rather than being passive recipients. They can promote transparent and inclusive processes for participation to ensure the inclusion of women and young people and vulnerable IDPs, including older persons, those with disabilities or members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual or intersex community, who face particular human rights concerns and have different needs, views and perspectives. In Colombia, the institution supports the strengthening of communities displaced or at risk of displacement and their organizations, with specific courses in public policy to promote the enforceability of the rights of IDPs and their participation in public policy processes. 73. The GP20 Plan of Action, with its focus on participation, highlights activities that NHRIs could contribute to, including facilitating and supporting participation of IDPs in key processes for development and peacebuilding. Ensuring that IDPs can participate in political processes at their displacement locations is another key function of NHRIs. Internally displaced persons may face barriers to their political participation at displacement locations, including lack of access to documentation allowing them to vote or stand for office. National human rights institutions have lobbied for solutions to secure the right of IDPs to political participation, including undertaking registration initiatives and assisting electoral bodies to set up mobile voting places. 8. Working in proximity to internally displaced persons 74. Recognizing the often grave human rights threats and challenges associated with internal displacement, some NHRIs have sought to be close to IDPs and the host communities that frequently absorb them in order to be able to respond rapidly and effectively when necessary. Proximity to communities and strong community engagement are essential to monitoring and the establishment of early warning mechanisms, as previously noted. The establishment of regional or local satellite offices of NHRIs to localities with IDPs or the deployment by NHRIs of human rights monitors with local knowledge to affected regions has been effective in Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Georgia, Kenya, Niger and Ukraine. 75. Developing close working relationships with local and municipal authorities is essential and requires a consistent local presence. Local authorities are at the forefront of support and protection efforts and bear the burden of large caseloads of IDPs, often without adequate resources or experience. By establishing regional or local presences, NHRIs can forge collaborations with local authorities, advising them and positively influencing their activities and programmes to help ensure that they conform to national and/or international standards. Such close engagement is essential for protection, and the presence of monitors from NHRIs is a prevention and protection measure and promotes concrete action. 76. The Honduras national human rights institution highlighted its localized human rights protection mechanisms in addressing displacement caused by gang-related violence. It created a unit for forced displacement, making forecasts of risks based on research and statistics to guide prevention efforts based on 33 staff present in more than 30 municipalities. They conducted activities including monitoring local situations, gathering data and building awareness on internal displacement. In the Philippines, the national human rights institution established the Assistance and Visitorial Office to mobilize 16