United Nations General Assembly A/RES/66/171 Distr.: General 30 March 2012 Sixty-sixth session Agenda item 69 (b) Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 19 December 2011 [on the report of the Third Committee (A/66/462/Add.2)] 66/171. Protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism The General Assembly, Reaffirming the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, Reaffirming also the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1 Reaffirming further the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, 2 Reaffirming the fundamental importance, including in response to terrorism and the fear of terrorism, of respecting all human rights and fundamental freedoms and the rule of law, Reaffirming also that States are under the obligation to protect all human rights and fundamental freedoms of all persons, Reaffirming further that terrorism cannot and should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilization or ethnic group, Reiterating the important contribution of measures taken at all levels against terrorism, consistent with international law, in particular international human rights, refugee and humanitarian law, to the functioning of democratic institutions and the maintenance of peace and security and thereby to the full enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms, as well as the need to continue this fight, including through strengthening international cooperation and the role of the United Nations in this respect, Deeply deploring the occurrence of violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the context of the fight against terrorism, as well as violations of international refugee and humanitarian law, Noting with concern measures that can undermine human rights and the rule of law, such as the detention of persons suspected of acts of terrorism in the absence of a legal basis for detention and due process guarantees, the deprivation of liberty that _______________ 1 2 11-46908 *1146908* Resolution 217 A (III). A/CONF.157/24 (Part I), chap. III. Please rec cle ♲