This is a frequently asked question. Let me state the case quite clearly: once you have seen how those affected, or the governments which believe they are affected, redouble their efforts, even before the report is produced, in order to prevent what they perceive as embarrassing statements from being made, it is clear that these reports must have an impact, an impact which extends into the civil society of the countries concerned.
Je serai très clair sur ce point : quand on voit comment certaines personnes ou certains gouvernements se sentant concernés s'efforcent, déjà avant la parution d'un rapport, d'éluder certaines constatations selon eux embarrassantes, c'est que de tels rapports ont visiblement un impact, à commencer par un impact sur la société civile des pays concernés.