A/RES/58/178 those active at the local and community levels, and the severe consequences for women human rights defenders and defenders of rights of persons belonging to minorities, Noting with deep concern that, in a number of countries in all regions of the world, impunity for threats, attacks and acts of intimidation against human rights defenders persists and that this has a negative impact on their work and safety, 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 and in promoting, strengthening and preserving democracy, Recalling that, under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, 2 certain rights are recognized as non-derogable, and emphasizing that derogation from other rights and freedoms can take place only under strict observance of the agreed conditions and procedures identified under article 4 of the Covenant, Gravely concerned that, in some instances, national security and counter-terrorism 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, Acknowledging the significant work conducted by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General during the first three years of her mandate, Welcoming the cooperation between the Special Representative and other special procedures of the Commission on Human Rights, 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, Recalling that the primary responsibility for promoting and protecting human rights rests with the State, and noting with deep concern that the activities of some non-State actors pose a major threat to the security of human rights defenders, Emphasizing the need for strong and effective measures for the protection of human rights defenders, 1. Calls upon all States to promote and give full 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, including by taking, as appropriate, practical steps to that end; Welcomes the reports of the Special Representative of the 2. Secretary-General on human rights defenders 3 and her contribution to the effective promotion of the Declaration and the improvement of the protection of human rights defenders worldwide; Encourages all States to ensure and maintain an environment conducive 3. to the work of human rights defenders; _______________ 2 3 2 See resolution 2200 A (XXI), annex. E/CN.4/2001/94 and E/CN.4/2002/106 and Add.1 and 2; see also A/56/341 and A/57/182.