Implementation Guidelines for Regional Action Plan on Human Rights Defenders An ‘Early Warning System’ (EWS) is an apparatus put in place to monitor, detect, and predict situations where HRDs may be vulnerable or at risk. When such threats are identified, the EWS can alert you of potential future violations so that you can take action to prevent or respond to those threats.49 Since an EWS functions chiefly by analysing data and predetermined indicators, it can detect patterns, potential protection crises, factors that motivate attacks, as well as periods and areas of greatest vulnerability. As set out at the beginning of this Guide, a key principle for any EWS is the security of communications with HRDs. A. Importance of an EWS50 HRDs have stressed the importance of preventive rather than reactive measures.51 Even if a violation is stopped mid-way or if the perpetrator is sanctioned, there will still be a toll on the integrity of the victim, and likely a toll on their community also. Not only because of the attack itself, but also because of the emotional drain and time involved in the search for justice. With prior information and constant monitoring, it is possible to detect threats at an earlier stage and act promptly with the intention of preventing, rather than responding to, attacks and violations. Human rights organisations have recognised the need to prepare a system to analyse possible patterns of attacks, aggressions and obstacles faced by HRDs.52 Beyond preventing specific attacks, an EWS may track attacks on HRDs and analyse patterns. The resulting information can be used to guide human-rights oriented public policy, it can also change the culture of civilian security, from one of responsiveness and improvisation, to a culture of prevention. Your NHRI can also bring this information to the attention of the international community (see National Action 7).53 B. Functions of an EWS It is essential that an EWS responds to the national context and the specific risks HRDs face, which means that the system itself will vary greatly from one country to another. This guide will focus on the forms of EWS identified in the RAP, as well as providing some general guidance on an EWS. Any EWS seeking to prevent violations against HRDs, should be staffed with qualified personnel trained on risks faced by HRDs, who can understand the context in which HRDs carry out their activities, the factors that lead to risks and motivate attacks and the adequate methods of addressing those risks.54 In general, the functions of an EWS are divided into three main phases: monitoring, analysing information (risk assessment), and alerting.55 The monitoring phase is intended to detect potential risks, and includes obtaining data from the ground, from the context in which HRDs carry out their activities. The data obtained are analysed and registered according to a predetermined set of indicators and subsequently analysed and reported so that actions can be taken.56 28 49 https://irb-cisr.gc.ca/en/country-information/research/Pages/honduras-attach.aspx Art. 17 50 https://protectioninternational.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Best-Practices-and-Lessons-Learnt.pdf pp. 51, 182, 192 51 https://www.protectioninternational.org/sites/default/files/2017-Roundtable-report-EN.pdf p.9 52 https://www.oas.org/en/iachr/jsForm/?File=/en/iachr/media_center/preleases/2021/106.asp (p.14 of the guide) 53 https://protectioninternational.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Best-Practices-and-Lessons-Learnt.pdf pp. 51, 182, 192; http://acuddeh.org/IMG/pdf/ini_lg_periodistas_y_defensores_de_ddhh-final.pdf Art. 99 54 https://www.oas.org/es/cidh/R/DDDH/Guias/GuiaPractica_DefensoresDDHH-v3_SPA.pdf p.25 55 https://www.oas.org/es/sap/pubs/GuiaAlerta_s.pdf p.16 56 https://www.oas.org/es/sap/pubs/GuiaAlerta_s.pdf p.30