United Nations
A/RES/55/98
General Assembly
Distr.: General
1 March 2001
Fifty-fifth session
Agenda item 114 (b)
Resolution adopted by the General Assembly
[on the report of the Third Committee (A/55/602/Add.2 and Corr.1)]
55/98.
Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of
Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote
and Protect Universally Recognized Human Rights and
Fundamental Freedoms
The General Assembly,
Recalling its resolution 53/144 of 9 December 1998, by which it adopted by
consensus the Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups
and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognized Human
Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, which is annexed to that resolution,
Reiterating the importance of the Declaration and its promotion and
implementation,
Taking note of the decision of the Commission on Human Rights in its
resolution 2000/61 of 26 April 2000 1 to request the Secretary-General to appoint, for
a period of three years, a special representative who shall report on the situation of
human rights defenders in all parts of the world and on possible means to enhance
their protection in full compliance with the Declaration,
Welcoming the appointment by the
representative on human rights defenders,
Secretary-General
of
a
special
Noting with deep concern that, in many countries, persons and organizations
engaged in promoting and defending human rights and fundamental freedoms are
facing threats, harassment and insecurity as a result of those activities,
1.
Calls upon all States to promote and give effect to the Declaration on the
Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote
and Protect Universally Recognized Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms;
2.
Invites all Governments to cooperate with and assist the Special
Representative on human rights defenders in fulfilling her mandate;
1
See Official Records of the Economic and Social Council, 2000, Supplement No. 3 and corrigendum
(E/2000/23 and Corr.1), chap. II, sect. A.
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