consultation processes they can play a key role in helping to draft appropriate legislation, and in helping to draw up national plans and strategies on human rights. This role too should be recognized and supported.”180 III. A SAFE AND ENABLING ENVIRONMENT CONDUCIVE TO HUMAN RIGHTS WORK D. Freedom of opinion and expression and of information 133. In addition to Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), a number of international and regional human rights treaties enshrine the right to freedom of opinion and expression, including the ICCPR,181 the ECHR,182 the ACHR183 and the FCNM184. According to the UDHR, “[e]veryone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.” 134. Participating States have committed themselves “to facilitate the freer and wider dissemination of information of all kinds, to encourage co-operation in the field of information and the exchange of information with other countries.”185 They have also reaffirmed that “everyone will have the right to freedom of expression including the right to communication. This right will include freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart information and ideas without interference by public authority and regardless of frontiers.”186 The central role of freedom of expression has also been reiterated as “a fundamental human right and a basic component of a democratic society.”187 Participating States, moreover, have acknowledged the importance of the free flow of information,188 as well as the important role of a free media.189 180  “Ensuring Protection - European Union Guidelines on Human Rights Defenders”, <http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cmsUpload/GuidelinesDefenders.pdf>, para. 5. The Guidelines were adopted initially in 2004 and revised in 2008. 181  ICCPR, Article 19. 182  ECHR, Article 10. 183  Article 13, American Convention of Human Rights. The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression approved by the Commission in October 2000 provides further guidance on the interpretation of Article 13 of the American Convention, see: <http://www.oas.org/en/ iachr/expression/showarticle.asp?artID=26&lID=1>. 184  FCNM, Article 7. 185  Helsinki 1975, “Co-operation in Humanitarian and Other Fields”. 186  Copenhagen 1990, para. 9.1. 187  Budapest 1991, “Decisions: VIII. The Human Dimension”, para. 34. 188  Istanbul 1999, “Charter for European Security: III. Our Common Response”, para. 26. 189  Astana 2012, para. 6. Guidelines on the Protection of Human Rights Defenders 67