There are different interventions that can be made for the role of Canada. When we talk about specific support on the ground, I was mentioning as a recommendation having in Canadian representation overseas a focal point for human rights defenders. That would help a lot.
As for channelling the information, when a situation arises as a threat for human rights defenders, that would be one element. Having some guidelines for what the missions also could do in support and at different levels can be the promotion of the work of human rights defenders and doing some communication activities with a specific response. If there is a threat, that can connect them with an existing mechanism, or provide them with some financial support to relocate them. That's a specific role that the mission can play.
Funding definitely is also an issue, particularly in the number of cases where the situation is difficult in a country. It is very difficult for a human rights defender who operates often at the margin of the laws, to get funding through an existing mechanism, because they don't necessarily have a well-established structure at the administration to be able to manoeuvre in that framework. Often that creates some tension for them. They are doing some very important work, but they are not necessarily in a position to go through the mainstream funding mechanism. I think looking at that and being able to provide some flexible funding could be very important for them to continue to do the work.
I think the Canadian financial local initiative that exists at the ambassador level has been very helpful in supporting some groups on the ground, but maybe it's not totally adapted sometimes for the situation of human rights defenders. Talking with human rights defenders from Burundi, who are outside the country, this is one of their main issues, because everybody there recognizes the major issue that is taking place in Burundi and the incredible risk with the potential drama that can happen in the country, but there is very limited support. I was very surprised. There is almost no support for human rights defenders from Burundi who are outside of the country. They start and they continue to try to do their work without resources. That's another element that I think could be important to look at in how we support human rights defenders.
I think that supporting the mechanism at the regional level or international level is also something that's important. I was mentioning the mandate of the special rapporteur. There are some other mechanisms that exist that can be really helpful in ensuring there is better visibility for the role of human rights defenders internationally.