A/RES/56/163 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; 1 2. Takes note with appreciation of the reports of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on human rights defenders; 2 3. Emphasizes the importance of combating impunity, and in this regard urges States to take appropriate measures to address the question of impunity for threats, attacks and acts of intimidation against human rights defenders; 4. Urges all Governments to cooperate with and assist the Special Representative in the performance of her tasks and to furnish upon request all information in the fulfilment of her mandate; 5. Requests all concerned United Nations agencies and organizations, within their mandates, to provide all possible assistance and support to the Special Representative in the implementation of her programme of activities; 6. Calls upon all States to take all necessary measures to ensure the protection of human rights defenders; 7. Decides to consider this question at its fifty-seventh session under the item entitled “Human rights questions”. 88th plenary meeting 19 December 2001 _______________ 1 2 2 Resolution 53/144, annex. A/56/341 and E/CN.4/2001/94.