rnal ic as ping k to ges, cies g the such ring ever, mple, tion ther eaty ocal with ving ons. the w to ghts ough ngs. dual ed as and tion and assist victims in taking their cases to courts. Some HRDs provide professional legal advice and represent victims in the judicial process. Others provide victims with counseling and rehabilitation support. 6. Action to secure accountability and to end impunity Many HRDs work to secure accountability and respect for human rights legal standards. In its broadest sense, this might involve lobbying with authorities and advocating greater efforts by the state to implement the international human rights obligations it has accepted by its ratification of international treaties. In more specific instances, the focus on accountability can lead HRDs to bear witness, either in a public forum (for example, a newspaper) or before a court or tribunal, to human rights violations that have already occurred. In this way, defenders contribute to securing justice on behalf of victims in specific cases of human rights violation and to breaking patterns of impunity, thereby preventing future violations. A significant number of defenders, frequently through organizations established for the purpose, focus exclusively on ending impunity for violations. The same groups of defenders might also work to strengthen the State’s capacity to prosecute perpetrators of violations, by providing human rights training for prosecutors, judges and the police. 7. Supporting better governance and government policy Some HRDs focus on encouraging the government as a whole to fulfill its human rights obligations, by publicizing information on the government’s record of implementation of human rights standards and monitoring progress made. Some defenders focus on good governance, advocating in support of democratization and an end to corruption, abuse of power, and providing training to a population on how to vote and why their participation in elections is important. 8. Contributing to the implementation of human rights treaties HRDs make a major contribution, particularly through their organizations, to the implementation of international human rights treaties. Many NGOs and intergovernmental organizations help to establish housing, health care and sustainable income-generation projects for poor and marginalized communities. They offer training in essential skills and provide equipment such as computers to give communities improved access to information. 3