Human rights defenders in the context of the Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognized Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms A/RES/70/161 human rights defenders, and individuals are afforded the opportunity to lodge complaints directly with the appropriate authority, and respecting, inte r alia, the right to be informed promptly and in detail of charges, the right to the presumption of innocence, the right to a fair and public hearing, the right to choose and communicate with counsel in confidence, the right to present witnesses and evidence and cross-examine prosecution witnesses and the right to appeal; (f) Information, such as evidence of serious violations of human rights, held by public authorities is not unnecessarily classified or otherwise withheld from the public, and States adopt transparent, clear and expedient laws and policies that provide for the effective disclosure of information held by public authorities and a general right to request and receive such information, for which public access should be granted, except within narrow and clearly defined limitations; (g) Provisions do not prevent public officials from being held accountable, and penalties for defamation are limited in order to ensure proportionality and reparation commensurate with the harm done; (h) Information and communications technologies are not used in a manner that amounts to arbitrary or unlawful interference with the privacy of individuals or the intimidation of human rights defenders; 11. Recognizes that, in the exercise of the rights and freedoms refe rred to in the Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognized Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, 6 human rights defenders, acting individually and in association with others, shall be subject only to such limitations as are in accordance with applicable international obligations and are determined by law solely for the purpose of securing due recognition and respect for the rights and freedoms of others and of meeting the just requirements of morality, public order and the general welfare in a democratic society; 12. Encourages States to develop and put in place sustainable public policies or programmes that support and protect human rights defenders at all stages of their work in a comprehensive manner; 13. Reaffirms the utility and benefit of consultations and dialogue with human rights defenders related to public policies and programmes, including for protection purposes, and encourages States to appoint focal points or to employ other relevant mechanisms for human rights defenders within the public administration; 14. Continues to express particular concern about systemic and structural discrimination and violence faced by women human rights defenders of all ages, and reiterates its strong call upon States to take appropriate, robust and practical steps to protect them and to integrate a gender perspective into their efforts to create a safe and enabling environment for the defence of human rights, as called for by the General Assembly in its resolution 68/181; 15. Expresses concern about stigmatization and discrimination that target or affect individuals and associations defending the rights of persons belonging to minorities or espousing minority beliefs or views, or other groups vulnerable to discrimination, and calls upon States to ensure that legislation does not target the activities of individuals and associations defending the rights of persons belonging to minorities or espousing minority beliefs; __________________ 6 Resolution 53/144, annex. 5/7