and communications strategy in cooperation with the media and other sectors of civil society. A strategy aimed at improving the situation of detainees should include efforts to encourage greater public recognition and acceptance of their rights, as this may be necessary to encourage Government action. Monitoring can be a source of information for individual complaint investigation. National human rights institutions should provide, in subsequent monitoring exercises, independent assessments of how well officials are doing in meeting the agreed benchmarks. If international donor assistance is required, the fact that benchmarks have been developed at all, and that an independent commission will provide ongoing monitoring, may encourage donor funding. Conclusion Institutions monitor in a variety of circumstances, from monitoring the general human rights situation to monitoring specific issues and places of detention. Monitoring can be elaborate and resource-intensive but it can also lead to substantive improvements in a country’s human rights situation. Successful monitoring requires staff with the requisite knowledge and professional abilities. Substantive training and instruction are critical. Institutions should be active in carrying out their responsibilities in monitoring; they should also invest time and resources in ensuring that these responsibilities are discharged successfully. States must ensure that NHRIs have the resources to do this work. 124