E/CN.4/2002/94/Add.1 page 21 faced was that the ombudsmen are not accredited in the countries where they operate, so that they cannot act as official representatives, or have access to migrants in detention. The ombudsman in New York reported that he had received many reports of deception or swindling by agents offering to provide official papers in the United States. A voluntary network of legal advisers had been set up with eight lawyers established in the United States. Another major problem is that of domestic violence, which is being handled by referring cases to existing social organizations that deal with this problem. 69. From the Ombudsman’s viewpoint people-smuggling is a criminal issue, which is mainly for the police to handle. There is serious concern at the prevailing corruption which enables these networks to operate. In southern Ecuador the Special Rapporteur noted the need to support the efforts of the Ombudsman to help the families of Ecuadorian migrants. The work of the Ombudsman in the areas affected by emigration and smuggling should help to strengthen the link between the most neglected and vulnerable population groups and the State, and should be directed towards preventing people-smuggling. B. The role of civil society 70. The Special Rapporteur noted that civil society in Ecuador is highly organized, including associations of migrants and their families, which have considerable skills in making proposals15 and possess detailed knowledge of the situation regarding migration in the country and its effects. The Special Rapporteur also noted that steps taken by indigenous, social and peasant organizations in their negotiations with the authorities have led to important commitments on the part of the Government. She highly values the dialogue initiated by civil society and the work carried out together with the State on the drafting of the Operational Plan relating to the Human Rights of Migrants, Foreigners and Refugees, which has yet to be put into effect. 71. In the areas where Ecuadorian migration originates, the Special Rapporteur noted the positive impact of the efforts made by civil-society organizations who watch over the families of migrants who remain behind in Ecuador. She considers that the practical work done by such organizations as the Pastoral Social Office of Human Mobility in monitoring the situation of the families, providing guidance and psychosocial care and watching over them is vital. C. The international community: the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) 72. Representatives of IOM described to the Special Rapporteur their role in providing advice to the State in matters relating to the National Plan for Ecuadorians Abroad and the follow-up to it, so as to facilitate the preparation of programmes for its implementation. They explained that the policies of the State must include a goal of managed migration and at the same time a goal of settlement. The Special Rapporteur considers it important that IOM should continue to work together with the State and civil society for the application of the national plan and the Operational Plan with a view to providing enhanced protection for migrants, and that priority should be given to activities designed to combat and prevent smuggling from the areas in which migration originates and in the places where the networks operate.