In its report on election observers as human rights defenders, the Venice Commission stressed that "election observers play a crucial role as human rights defenders in ensuring respect for essential rights and freedoms. However, despite their significant contributions, domestic and international observers are increasingly encountering obstacles in monitoring electoral processes around the world. The difficulties they encounter include harassment, false accusations, defamation, threats, restrictions on free movement, detention, expulsion and, in some cases, even physical violence."25 Therefore, in the context of escalating violence, the Venice Commission recommends that additional protection be provided to observers.