A/HRC/26/37 international and national laws, are often disregarded. This is not always the result of lack of political will. The complexity of the trafficking phenomenon, uncertainty about aspects of the solution and the fact that States are rarely the direct perpetrators of trafficking-related harm, all complicate the task of securing compliance with international legal rules. Improving compliance mechanisms at all levels must be a priority for States and the international community. 73. At the national level. The mandate has repeatedly called on States to strengthen their implementation machinery and has sought to provide practical guidance to States on implementing a rights-based approach. Respondents to the questionnaire identified this as a key contribution of the mandate. The Special Rapporteur has consistently advocated for the establishment of national rapporteurs or equivalent mechanisms in countries that do not yet have such a position. Where they do exist (principally, at present, in Europe), independent, appropriately tasked national rapporteurs have generally played an important role in monitoring the national situation; facilitating collaboration between different agencies and between the Government and civil society; and overseeing the collection and analysis of data on the national response and on trafficking trends. Their central role was confirmed at a consultative meeting in 2013 convened by the Special Rapporteur, which brought together, for the first time, national rapporteurs, from 19 countries. A follow-up meeting is scheduled for mid–2014. Of course, the national rapporteur mechanism is just one way for States to approach the challenge of compliance. The Special Rapporteur has encouraged States to consider additional paths to this end, including the development of national plans of action against trafficking and the establishment of broad-based consultation groups to advise and support implementation. 74. The mandate notes the unilateral compliance mechanism established by the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons of the United States Department of State, which undertakes an annual assessment of the trafficking situation in States worldwide and the quality of the national responses.20 The Special Rapporteur has established an excellent working relationship with officials at the Office and generally welcomes this initiative as an important contribution to promoting strong national responses and increased awareness about trafficking throughout the world. However, she cautions that the criteria used to assess national performance should be explicitly based on international standards. This is not just essential to the credibility of the mechanism, it is also an important way to strengthen the international legal framework and affirm its key standards. 75. States parties to the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children, could also be encouraged to take up the challenge of implementation more creatively, for example by opening up the deliberations of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review to some input from civil society and providing it with more substantive oversight responsibilities. Trafficking remains a difficult issue for all States and increased support aimed at helping them to meet their international obligations should be welcomed. IX. Conclusion and recommendations 76. The Human Rights Council is to be congratulated for its wisdom and foresight in establishing a mechanism that has ensured human rights retain their rightful place at the centre of the international response to trafficking. This role has been particularly important in light of the fact that the key international treaty on trafficking was established outside the human rights system. States and partners, 20 20 See www.state.gov/j/tip/rls/tiprpt/.