A/RES/71/17 Cooperation between the United Nations and the Council of Europe Welcoming also the visit of the Secretary-General to the Council of Europe on 23 June 2015, Taking note with appreciation of the report of the Secretary-General on cooperation between the United Nations and the Council of Europe, 1 1. Reiterates its call for the reinforcement of cooperation between the United Nations and the Council of Europe regarding the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, the promotion of democracy and the rule of law and good governance at all levels, inter alia, the prevention of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, the fight against terrorism, trafficking in human beings and violence against women, the fight against all forms of racism, discrimination, xenophobia and intolerance, the promotion of freed om of expression and freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief, the protection of the rights and dignity of all members of society without discrimination on any grounds and the promotion of gender equality and empowerment of women and girls, as well as the promotion of human rights education; 2. Confirms its recognition of the key role of the European Court of Human Rights in ensuring effective human rights protection under the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms for the 800 million citizens in the 47 States members of the Council of Europe, and notes with interest the efforts to guarantee the long-term effectiveness of the Court system and to ensure the rapid and effective execution of Court judgments, as well as the ongoing work aiming at accession of the European Union to the Convention; 3. Recognizes the important role of the Council of Europe in upholding the rule of law and fighting impunity, including by strengthening the capacity of the national judiciaries of its member States to carry out their work consistent with the relevant international obligations of the member States in particular, and where applicable, those defined in the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court; 2 4. Also recognizes the role of the revised European Social Charter and of the European Committee of Social Rights in protecting economic and social rights, notes in this context the contribution that the Council of Europe can make in ensuring the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, 3 and confirms its support for cooperation between the two organizations with respect to the eradication of poverty, the protection and promotion of the rights and dignity of persons wit h disabilities, including persons with disabilities in sport, strengthening social cohesion and intergenerational solidarity and ensuring the protection of economic, social and cultural rights for all; 5. Notes the effective implementation of the joint declaration on the reinforcement of cooperation between the secretariat of the Council of Europe and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, and in this respect encourages further cooperation between the United Nations, includin g the Human Rights Council, its special procedures, the Office of the High Commissioner and the human rights treaty bodies, and the Council of Europe, along with its Commissioner for Human Rights, with regard to promoting and ensuring respect for human rights and the role of human rights defenders; _______________ 1 See A/71/160-S/2016/621, sect. II. United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 2187, No. 38544. 3 Ibid., vol. 2515, No. 44910. 2 2/7