A UNITED NATIONS General Assembly Distr. GENERAL A/RES/51/96 3 March 1997 Fifty-first session Agenda item 110 (b) RESOLUTION ADOPTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY [on the report of the Third Committee (A/51/619/Add.2)] 51/96. Strengthening of the rule of law The General Assembly, Recalling that, by adopting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,1 Member States have pledged themselves to achieve, in cooperation with the United Nations, the promotion of universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms, Firmly convinced that the rule of law is an essential factor in the protection of human rights, as stressed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and should continue to attract the attention of the international community, Convinced that through their own national legal and judicial systems States must provide appropriate civil, criminal and administrative remedies for violations of human rights, Recognizing the importance of the role that can be played by the Centre for Human Rights of the Secretariat in supporting national efforts to strengthen the institutions of the rule of law, Bearing in mind that, in its resolution 48/141 of 20 December 1993, the General Assembly entrusted the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights with, inter alia, providing through the Centre and other appropriate institutions advisory services and technical and financial assistance in the field of human rights, enhancing international cooperation for the promotion 1 Resolution 217 A (III). 97-76999 /...