Annex VIII: OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Resolution on Strengthening OSCE Engagement with Human Rights Defenders and National Human Rights Institutions, 5-9 July 2007, Kyiv 1. Recalling and reaffirming the important role of civil society and non governmental organizations in our societies as also recognized in the 1975 Helsinki Final Act and expressing genuine appreciation for the contribution of civil society to the promotion and implementation of OSCE principles, standards, commitments and values, 2. Recalling that the commitments undertaken in the field of the human dimension are matters of direct and legitimate concern to all participating States and are not exclusively the internal affairs of the state concerned, as stipulated in the 1991 Moscow Document entered into by all participating States, 3. Reaffirming that the protection and promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms is one of the basic responsibilities of states, and the recognition of and respect for these rights and freedoms constitutes the foundation of freedom, justice and peace, 4. Recalling that the OSCE participating States committed themselves to respect the right of their citizens to contribute actively, individually or in association with others, to the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms and to take necessary action in their respective countries to effectively ensure this right, 5. Recalling and reaffirming the Resolution on Cooperation with Civil Society Non-Governmental Organizations adopted by the Parliamentary Assembly at Annual Session in 2006, calling upon the OSCE participating States to seek implement ways of further promoting exchange of views through an open constructive dialogue with human rights defenders, and the and and 6. Recalling the UN Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognized Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders) and the responsibility it places on states to adopt and implement adequate legislation and administrative procedures that would provide for a conducive environment for human rights defenders to promote and strive for the protection and realization of human rights and fundamental freedoms at the national and international levels, 7. Recalling the Principles relating to the Status of National Institutions (The Paris Principles), adopted by the UN General Assembly resolution on 20 December 1993, identifying the crucial role of independent national human rights institutions (NHRIs) in promoting and protecting human rights in a pluralist manner by being co-operative with a range of groups and institutions, including governmental authorities, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), judicial institutions and professional bodies, 8. Recalling the OSCE Supplementary Human Dimension Meeting (SHDM) of 30 and 31 March 2006 entitled “ Human Rights Defenders and National Human Rights Institutions: Legislative, State and Non-State Aspects” and the recommendations made thereat including the need for particular attention, support and protection for human rights defenders by the OSCE, its Institutions and field operations, as well as by participating States, 79