UN HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE FIELD carrying out fact-finding missions to neighbouring countries to interview Nicaraguan victims of human rights violations and their family members, human rights defenders (HRDs) and journalists; and, finally, closely coordinating and cooperating with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. It also published a report entitled Human Rights violations and abuses in the context of protests in Nicaragua, 18 April-18 August 2018, and three monthly bulletins with updated information and analysis on trends and patterns of human rights violations. Mechanisms (M) M1 – Structures to report to human rights mechanisms and follow-up on their recommendations have been established or strengthened. They are equipped to consult and coordinate with the human rights mechanisms and relevant national actors, manage information, and engage appropriately with the mechanisms, the authorities and the public. UN HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE FIELD In Belize, OHCHR collaborated with the Resident Coordinator, UNICEF and UNHCR to strengthen the capacity of the Government to report to the treaty bodies, systematize its consultation processes for the preparation of national reports to the international human rights mechanisms and elaborate a five-year road map on reporting to the treaty bodies. In addition, OHCHR provided technical guidance and shared good practices with the UNCT in the context of their written contribution for the country’s third UPR cycle. In El Salvador, sustained advocacy efforts for the establishment of a permanent structure on reporting and follow-up and the implementation of UPR recommendations led to the establishment of the NMRF through an Executive Decree. In Costa Rica, the Office provided support to the NMRF, as well as training on the definition and use of indicators for the monitoring of progress in public policies. Participation (P) By providing technical advice and support, OHCHR worked to ensure that NMRFs are in place or functioning for the integrated reporting and/or implementation of outstanding recommendations issued by the treaty bodies, special procedures, the Human Rights Council and the UPR. P5 – Governments and other relevant institutions have taken effective steps to protect human rights defenders. The situation and security of human rights defenders is monitored more closely. The Office supported Belize, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador and Panama to strengthen their capacity to engage with the international human rights mechanisms, including the Human Rights Council and its mechanisms, as well as with the treaty bodies. In this regard, the Office promoted the use of the Universal Human Rights Index Database as a tool to disseminate and analyse their recommendations and to facilitate follow-up through the elaboration of action plans. OHCHR established systems and procedures that contributed to the protection of HRDs from human rights violations. 230 UN HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT 2018 OHCHR continued monitoring the situation of HRDs and informed the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders as well as other human rights mechanisms about developments and individual cases of attacks and reprisals for their cooperation with UN bodies in the region. The Special Rapporteur released five press releases and one video message on Nicaragua. OHCHR also supported academic visits by the Special Rapporteur to El Salvador and Nicaragua to commemorate the twentieth anniversary of the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights Defenders and to raise awareness about the importance of the work of HRDs and civil society actors. In El Salvador, OHCHR supported the process for the adoption of a law on the protection of HRDs by advising on the relevant human rights standards. Following the human rights crisis in Nicaragua, OHCHR consolidated solid relationships with a broad range of civil society actors. The Office conducted different trainings for HRDs, including on self-protection and security measures and the mandate and effective use of international human rights protection mechanisms. The objective was to help strengthen the capacity of participants to document and report on human rights violations. These trainings took into account OHCHR’s monitoring work during the crisis and provided an opportunity to conduct in-person monitoring interviews of victims, thereby enabling OHCHR to document alleged human rights violations. The Office also contributed to initiatives for the promotion and protection of HRDs, including in coordination with the Special Follow-Up Mechanism for Nicaragua (MESENI) of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights on a number of individual cases. P6 – Groups that suffer discrimination, including women, LGBTI persons, people of African descent, indigenous peoples and persons living with disabilities, have increased their advocacy capacity and are able to exercise their right to participate in decision-making processes. OHCHR contributed to increasing the meaningful participation of rights-holders, especially women and discriminated groups, in certain public processes through advice, advocacy and partnership. OHCHR continued supporting indigenous peoples and the Government of Costa Rica in establishing a permanent national mechanism of consultation with indigenous peoples, which was approved by the President. The Office also facilitated the internal organizations of 24 indigenous territories to participate in consultations on initiatives that may affect the enjoyment of their human rights. The Office also contributed to advancing the participation of people of African descent in the preparatory process of the next census in Panama, which is scheduled to take place in 2020 and to carry out an evaluation of racial profiling in Panama to combat discrimination. Following the Inter-American Court on Human Rights’ landmark Advisory Opinion 24/2018, which establishes important human rights standards concerning couples of the same sex and gender identity, OHCHR undertook and participated in different promotional activities carried out by LGBTI groups in Costa Rica, El Salvador and Panama to advocate for the adoption of relevant legislation and public policies. In addition, as a result of OHCHR’s advocacy, the Attorney General of El Salvador adopted a policy on transitional justice, which created a follow-up implementation space with civil society participation. Shifts: Civic Space Non-Discrimination (ND) ND6 – Official migration policies and programmes recognize the need to protect the human rights of migrants, especially those who are in situations of vulnerability, and have taken steps to do so. OHCHR supported selected State institutions and programmes to significantly improve their compliance with international human rights norms and standards on migration. At the end of 2017, OHCHR conducted an assessment mission to better understand the challenges and the human rights protection gaps faced by migrants travelling from or through El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico. The findings of the mission contributed to the development of a subregional and national strategy on access to justice for relatives of disappeared migrants and the documentation of human rights violations suffered by migrants. In 2018, OHCHR facilitated dialogue between the committees of relatives of disappeared and deceased migrants and the Governments of El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico. The Governments committed to continuing the dialogue to improve the protocols for missing migrants and the coordination with the committees of relatives, as well as for investigations and reparations. The Office took steps to create synergies among national and regional organizations in Central and North America in order to share information and work in a coordinated manner. This enabled the submission of complaints, the identification of patterns of human rights violations and facilitated access to justice related to the documentation of violations suffered by migrants in transit and in destination countries. People on the move UN HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT 2018 231