A/HRC/RES/32/31
and inclusive institutions at all levels, and strengthen the means of implementation and
revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development, and also welcoming its
recognition of the importance of multi-stakeholder partnerships for the achievement of the
Sustainable Development Goals,
Welcoming also the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to various civil society actors
and human rights defenders as recognition of the decisive contribution that civil society can
make in the promotion of human rights, the creation of peaceful dialogue and the building
of pluralistic democracies, including the award to the civil society-led National Dialogue
Quartet in 2015,
Gravely concerned that, in many countries, persons and organizations engaged in
promoting and defending human rights and fundamental freedoms frequently face threats,
harassment and attacks and suffer insecurity as a result of those activities, including
through restrictions on freedom of association or expression or the right to peaceful
assembly, or abuse of criminal or civil proceedings, or deplorable acts of intimidation and
reprisal intended to prevent their cooperation with the United Nations and other
international bodies in the field of human rights,
Underscoring that the legal framework within which civil society operates is that of
national legislation consistent with the Charter and international human rights law,
Mindful that domestic legal and administrative provisions and their application
should facilitate, promote and protect an independent, diverse and pluralistic civil society,
and in this regard strongly rejecting all threats, attacks, reprisals and acts of intimidation
against civil society actors, and underscoring that States should investigate any such alleged
acts, ensure accountability and effective remedies, and take steps to prevent any further
such threats, attacks, reprisals or acts of intimidation,
Deeply concerned that, in some instances, domestic legal and administrative
provisions, such as national security and counter-terrorism legislation, and other measures,
such as provisions on funding to civil society actors, or registration or reporting
requirements, have sought to or have been misused to hinder the work and endanger the
safety of civil society, and recognizing the urgent need to prevent and stop the use of such
provisions, and to review and, where necessary, amend any relevant provisions in order to
ensure their compliance with international human rights law and, where applicable,
international humanitarian law,
Recognizing that the ability to seek, secure and use resources is essential to the
existence and sustainable operation of civil society actors, and that undue restrictions on
funding to civil society actors undermine the right to freedom of association,
Reaffirming that special emphasis should be given to measures to assist in the
strengthening of a pluralistic civil society, including through the strengthening of the rule of
law, social and economic development, the promotion of the right to freedom of expression,
online and offline, including artistic expression and creativity, access to information, the
rights of peaceful assembly and freedom of association, including soliciting, receiving and
utilizing resources, and the administration of justice, and to the real and effective
participation of the people in decision-making processes,
Recognizing the crucial importance of the active involvement of civil society, at all
levels, in processes of governance and in promoting good governance, including through
transparency and accountability, at all levels, which is indispensable for building peaceful,
prosperous and democratic societies,
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Emphasizes that creating and maintaining a safe and enabling environment in
which civil society can operate free from hindrance and insecurity assists States in fulfilling
their existing international human rights obligations and commitments, without which
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