A/RES/51/96 Page 2 and protection of all human rights and coordinating human rights activities throughout the United Nations system, Recalling the recommendation of the World Conference on Human Rights that a comprehensive programme be established within the United Nations and under the coordination of the Centre with a view to helping States in the task of building and strengthening adequate national structures that have a direct impact on the overall observance of human rights and the maintenance of the rule of law,2 Recognizing that the High Commissioner/Centre for Human Rights remains the focal point for coordinating system-wide attention for human rights, democracy and the rule of law, Recalling its resolution 50/179 of 22 December 1995, and taking note of Commission on Human Rights resolution 1996/56 of 19 April 1996,3 1. General;4 Takes note with satisfaction of the report of the Secretary- 2. Takes note with interest of the proposals contained in the report of the Secretary-General for strengthening the programme of advisory services and technical assistance of the Centre for Human Rights of the Secretariat in order to comply fully with the recommendations of the World Conference on Human Rights concerning assistance to States in strengthening their institutions which uphold the rule of law; 3. Praises the efforts made by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Centre to accomplish their ever-increasing tasks with the limited financial and personnel resources at their disposal; 4. Expresses its deep concern at the scarcity of means at the disposal of the Centre for the fulfilment of its tasks; 5. Notes that the programme of advisory services and technical assistance does not have assistance funds sufficient to provide any substantial financial assistance to national projects that have a direct impact on the realization of human rights and the maintenance of the rule of law in countries that are committed to those ends but that face economic hardship; 6. Welcomes the consultations and contacts initiated by the High Commissioner with other relevant bodies and programmes of the United Nations system aiming at the enhancement of inter-agency coordination and cooperation in providing assistance for the strengthening of the rule of law; 2 See A/CONF.157/24 (Part I), chap. III, sect. II, para. 69. 3 See Official Records of the Economic and Social Council, 1996, Supplement No. 3 (E/1996/23), chap. II, sect. A. 4 A/51/555. /...