A/HRC/RES/31/32 Underscoring the importance of access to information, including on alleged violations and abuses of human rights, and of the full and effective participation of individuals, groups and organs of society, including human rights defenders, in consultations, decision-making processes and, where relevant, implementation efforts related to legislation, policies, programmes and projects, with a view to mainstreaming, promoting and protecting human rights, Expressing grave concern at the serious nature of risks faced by human rights defenders, their family members, associates and legal representatives, including threats, attacks and acts of intimidation and reprisal against them in different parts of the world, and gravely concerned about the resulting negative impact on the realization of economic, social and cultural rights, including violations and abuses in this regard, Expressing grave concern also at the observations and findings of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders that human rights defenders addressing environmental and land issues and corporate responsibility, those working on governance issues, promoting transparency and accountability, and those exposing discrimination, corruption and violence at the hands of States, business enterprises and other non-State actors, are among those human rights defenders who are most exposed and at risk, and noting with grave concern also the findings of the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearance that the practice of enforced disappearance is often used to repress and intimidate human rights defenders and prevent others from claiming and exercising their economic, social and cultural rights, 1. Stresses that the right of everyone, individually and in association with others, to promote and strive for the protection and realization of all human rights and fundamental freedoms, in accordance with the Declaration,1 without retaliation or fear thereof is an essential element in building and maintaining sustainable, open and democratic societies, and reaffirms the urgent need to respect, protect, promote and facilitate the work of those defending economic, social and cultural rights as a vital factor contributing towards the realization of those rights, including as they relate to environmental and land issues and development; 2. Calls upon all States to take all measures necessary to ensure the rights and safety of human rights defenders, including those working towards the realization of economic, social and cultural rights and who, in so doing, exercise other human rights, such as the rights to freedom of opinion, expression, peaceful assembly and association, to participate in public affairs, and to seek an effective remedy; 3. Welcomes the work of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, and notes with appreciation the attention given to the promotion and protection of economic, social and cultural rights, including in relevant reports of the mandate holder over time;2 4. Urges all States to acknowledge in public statements at the national and local levels, and through laws, policies or programmes, the important and legitimate role of human rights defenders, including women human rights defenders, in the promotion of human rights, democracy and the rule of law in all areas of society, in urban and rural areas, as essential components of ensuring their recognition and protection, including those promoting and defending economic, social and cultural rights; 1 2 General Assembly resolution 53/144, annex A/HRC/4/37, A/HRC/19/55, A/68/262, A/70/217. 3