A/RES/50/176 Page 2 role played by national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights, in particular in their advisory capacity to the competent authorities, their role in remedying human rights violations, in the dissemination of human rights information and in education in human rights, Noting the diverse approaches adopted throughout the world for the promotion and protection of human rights at the national level, emphasizing the universality, indivisibility and interdependence of all human rights, and emphasizing and recognizing the value of such approaches to promoting universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms, Recalling the principles relating to the status of national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights, as contained in the annex to General Assembly resolution 48/134 of 20 December 1993, and recognizing the need for their continued dissemination, Welcoming the growing interest shown worldwide in the creation and strengthening of independent and pluralistic national institutions, Recognizing that the United Nations plays an important role in assisting the development of national institutions, Noting with satisfaction the constructive participation of representatives of a number of national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights in international seminars and workshops, 1. Takes note with satisfaction of the updated report of the Secretary-General; 4/ 2. Reaffirms the importance of the development of effective, independent and pluralistic national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights in keeping with the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action and, inter alia, the principles relating to the status of national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights contained in the annex to General Assembly resolution 48/134, and recognizes that it is the right of each State to choose the framework that is best suited to its particular needs at the national level; 3. Encourages Member States to establish or, where they already exist, to strengthen national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights, as outlined in the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, and, where appropriate, to incorporate those elements in national development plans or in their preparation of national action plans; 4. Encourages national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights established by Member States to prevent and combat all violations of human rights as enumerated in the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action and relevant international instruments; 5. Affirms the role of national institutions, where they exist, as appropriate agencies for the dissemination of human rights materials and public information activities, including those of the United Nations; 4/ A/50/452. /...