IV. OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Resolution on Strengthening OSCE Engagement with Human Rights Defenders and National Human Rights Institutions 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 and Non-Governmental Organizations adopted by the Parliamentary Assembly at the Annual Session in 2006, calling upon the OSCE participating States to seek 62