A/HRC/43/51 arrested for alleged narcotics trafficking or ties to armed groups. These suggest coherence gaps that must be addressed without delay. 45. An increasing number of public institutions, including national human rights institutions, are trying to address the challenges faced by defenders. They do so through public inquiry and advocacy, legislative input and interventions on specific cases. Some have developed guidelines on defenders or incorporated early warning mechanisms. Several others have regional or local satellite offices, including in or near conflict-affected areas. Lack of independence and statutory limitations preventing the investigation of alleged violations of human rights and international humanitarian law against defenders by armed forces remain challenges for national human rights institutions operating in conflict and post-conflict situations. The Special Rapporteur remains alarmed by the fact that several of these institutions or national protection mechanisms and their staff are themselves subjected to threats, interferences in their work and reprisals. 48 46. A number of States and regional organizations have developed external policy guidelines or strategies on defenders, recognizing their need for support in conflict and post-conflict areas. These offer relevant directions to conduct risk-assessments, diplomatic outreach and advocacy on individual cases of defenders and to support their activities, international engagement or relocation if necessary. Implementation and impact in practice needs to be subject to participatory reviews, in light also of the challenges defenders encounter in conflict and post-conflict areas, notably those under active hostilities. 49 Further attention to defenders must also be secured in States’ international human rights, humanitarian aid and development policies. B. Defenders and national and international non-governmental organizations Training programmes help. We developed some, which address psychological and digital protection. We also created a shelter where defenders can regain a sense of security for a period of time. (Defender, Thailand) We work in solidarity with defenders and women’s rights networks outside the country. (Defender, the Sudan) 47. Individual defenders and local civil society organizations often rely on self-support and mutual support, including wider community-based protection. Yet due to the general insecurity or the polarized environments in which they operate, defenders are often unable to link with others nearby or in other cities. Some local NGOs have been able to develop their own physical and digital protection protocols and trainings. Several defenders have reported turning to individual officials, international NGOs, United Nations presences or diplomatic representations for protection, when accessible. Still, some also admit having limited know-how and capacities to counter surveillance, threats and attacks, including online. They stress their interest in receiving support to ensure their physical and digital security, to break their isolation and to increase opportunities for peer-networking at all levels. A good share of defenders and journalists have already left the country. It is still possible to try to document violations, but difficult to find moral and technical support in doing so. (Defender, Burundi) Lawyers help a great deal with the judicial harassment we face. (Defender, the Philippines) 48. National and international NGOs, as well as intergovernmental organizations, are active in monitoring and advocacy for defenders operating in conflict and post-conflict areas. They offer protection and support in the field or back the development of networks of solidarity. Several help defenders develop their security plans and respond to smear 48 49 14 A/74/226, paras. 80–86. A/HRC/37/51, para. 37.