A/68/317 hyperlinks in those reports (A/HRC/23/51; A/HRC/22/67; A/HRC/20/30; A/HRC/19/44; A/HRC/18/51; A/HRC/24/21). A/HRC/21/49; 38. In the view of the Special Rapporteur, responding to specific allegations of human rights violations represents a cornerstone of the work of the mandate. In contrast to many other complaint procedures before international or regional human rights bodies, the communications procedure of special procedures mandate holders allows for immediate action. Use of the communications procedure does not have restrictive admissibility requirements, and any individual or group of individuals can present a complaint to the Special Rapporteur. Another benefit is that, as noted above, intervention with Governments involved and follow-up can take many forms, and there is thus an important level of flexibility available to the Special Rapporteur to respond to the various cases presented to him. Challenges faced in relation to the communications procedure, however, include the limited resources to respond to the high number of requests for intervention received by the Special Rapporteur on a daily basis, and the often lack of responsiveness of many Governments to the allegations raised and to preventing or remedying any violations. 4. Thematic studies 39. Throughout his mandate, the Special Rapporteur has sought to identify common issues affecting indigenous peoples on a global scale and examine measures needed to address those concerns. However, taking into consideration that, in accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 6/36, paragraph 1 (a), the principal mandate of the Expert Mechanism on the Right of Indigenous Peoples is to develop studies and research-based advice for the Human Rights Council, the Special Rapporteur has striven to carry out his thematic work in a way that is complementary to, and non-duplicative, of the studies of the Expert Mechanism and that draws on his unique experiences from other work areas. 40. In each of his annual reports to the Human Rights Council, the Special Rapporteur has examined key issues, including the following: the significance of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (A/HRC/9/9); the duty of States to consult with and obtain the consent of indigenous peoples before adopting measures that affect them (A/HRC/12/34); the responsibility of corporations to respect the rights of indigenous peoples (A/HRC/15/37); and violence against indigenous women and girls (A/HRC/21/47). 41. In addition, the Special Rapporteur dedicated significant energy during the second term of his mandate to the issue of extractive industries operating in or near indigenous peoples’ territories, dedicating all or part of three annual reports to this theme (A/HRC/18/35, A/HRC/21/47 and A/HRC/24/41). The Special Rapporteur would like to draw the particular attention of the General Assembly to his last report to the Human Rights Council dated September 2013, which represents the culmination of his three years of investigation into this issue. In the report, the Special Rapporteur underscores that a preferred model for resource extraction and development is through indigenous peoples’ own initiatives and enterprises; addresses issues related to the standard scenario when States or third-party business enterprises promote the extraction of natural resources within indigenous territories, including issues related to consultation and consent; and finally, identifies conditions for getting to and sustaining indigenous peoples’ agreement to extractive activities promoted by the State or third-party business enterprises. 13-42710 11/22