Human rights defenders play a vital role in a democratic society 11. OSCE participating States have reaffirmed that respect for human rights and fun- damental freedoms, democracy and the rule of law is at the core of the OSCE’s comprehensive concept of security, and have also committed themselves to counter threats to security such as violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms.15 12. The important work of those striving for the promotion and protection of human rights has been recognized in a number of international forums. With the adoption by consensus of the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders in 1998, UN member states formally acknowledged the “valuable work of individuals, groups and associations in contributing to the effective elimination of all violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms of peoples and individuals”.16 In a resolution adopted in March 2013, the UN Human Rights Council urged states to acknowledge publicly the important and legitimate role of human rights defenders and that dissenting views may be expressed peacefully.17 Furthermore, the Human Rights Council stressed “that respect and support for the activities of human rights defenders, including women human rights defenders, is essential to the overall enjoyment of human rights.”18 On a number of occasions, OSCE participating States have recognized that individuals, groups and organizations have an essential role to play in efforts aimed at enhancing the promotion and protection of human rights.19 13. In spite of the above, as consistently noted in the reports of the UN Special Rappor- teur on the situation of human rights defenders, defending human rights remains a dangerous activity.20 Need for protection of human rights defenders 14. In its Resolution adopted in December 2013, the UN General Assembly (UNGA) reiterated its deep concern that in many countries persons and organizations engaged in promoting and defending human rights and fundamental freedoms frequently face threats and harassment and suffer insecurity as a result of those 15  Istanbul Document, “Charter for European Security”, Istanbul 1999, para. 19. 16  UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, p. 2. 17  UN Human Rights Council Resolution A/HRC/RES/22/6, 21 March 2013, paras. 5 and 11 (i). 18  Ibid., preamble, p. 2. See also see preambular paras. 8 and 9 stressing the important role of human rights defenders in UN General Assembly Resolution 66/164, UN Doc. A/RES/66/164, adopted on 11 December 2011, p. 2. 19  See, for example, the preamble to Moscow 1991, and the Astana Commemorative Declaration, Astana 2010, para. 6. 20  See, for example, the report of the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders to the UN Human Rights Council, UN Doc. A/HRC/25/55, 23 December 2013, paras. 57 and 128. 26 Guidelines on the Protection of Human Rights Defenders