A/RES/60/161 Concerned by the considerable number of communications received by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on the situation of human rights defenders that, together with the reports submitted by some of the special procedure mechanisms, indicate the serious nature of the risks faced by human rights defenders, including women human rights defenders, Emphasizing the important role that individuals, non-governmental organizations and groups play in the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, including in combating impunity, promoting access to justice, information and public participation in decision-making and promoting, strengthening and preserving democracy, Recognizing the substantial role that human rights defenders can play in supporting peace through dialogue, openness, participation and justice, including by monitoring and reporting on human rights, Recalling that, in accordance with article 4 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, 2 certain rights are recognized as non-derogable in any circumstances and that any measures derogating from other provisions of the Covenant must be in accordance with that article in all cases, and underlining the exceptional and temporary nature of any such derogations, as stated in General Comment No. 29, on states of emergency, adopted by the Human Rights Committee on 24 July 2001, 3 Gravely concerned that, in some instances, national security and counterterrorism legislation and other measures have been misused to target human rights defenders or have hindered their work and safety in a manner contrary to international law, Welcoming the significant work conducted by the Special Representative, and encouraging strengthened cooperation between the Special Representative and other special procedures of the Commission on Human Rights as well as other relevant United Nations bodies, offices, departments and specialized agencies and personnel, both at headquarters and at the country level, Welcoming also regional initiatives for the promotion and protection of human rights and the cooperation between international and regional mechanisms for the protection of human rights defenders, and encouraging further development in this regard, Welcoming further the steps taken by some States towards adopting national policies or legislation for the protection of human rights defenders, Recalling that the primary responsibility for promoting and protecting human rights rests with the State, and reaffirming that national legislation consistent with the Charter of the United Nations and other international obligations of the State in the field of human rights and fundamental freedoms is the juridical framework within which human rights defenders conduct their activities, and noting with deep concern that the activities of some non-State actors pose a major threat to the security of human rights defenders, _______________ 2 See resolution 2200 A (XXI), annex. Official Records of the General Assembly, Fifty-sixth Session, Supplement No. 40 (A/56/40), vol. I, annex VI. 3 2