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 16. Reaffirms the right of everyone, individually and in association with others, to unhindered access to and communication with international bodies, in particular the United Nations, its representatives and mechanisms in the field of human rights, including the Human Rights Council, its special procedures, the universal periodic review mechanism and the treaty bodies, as well as regional human rights mechanisms; 17. Takes note of the reports of the Secretary-General on cooperation with the United Nations, its representatives and mechanisms in the field of human rights; 18. Welcomes the efforts made by States to investigate allegations of intimidation or reprisal and to bring perpetrators to justice, and encourages Governments to support such efforts; 19. Strongly calls upon all States: (a) To refrain from, and ensure adequate protection from, any act of intimidation or reprisal against human rights defenders who cooperate, have cooperated or seek to cooperate with international institutions, including their family members and associates; (b) To end impunity for acts of intimidation or reprisal by bringing the perpetrators to justice and by providing an effective remedy for their victims; (c) To avoid legislation and practices that have the effect of undermining the right reaffirmed in paragraph 16 of the present resolution; 20. Encourages all relevant regional organizations to consider the situation of human rights defenders and to develop and employ appropriate and effective measures for their protection, inter alia, by addressing violations and abuses by State and non-State actors; 21. Encourages leaders in all sectors of society and in their respective communities, including political, military, social and religious leaders and leaders in business and the media, to express public support for the important and legitimate role of human rights defenders in society, including women human rights defenders, and in any cases of violence and discrimination against them to take a clear stance in rejection of such practices; 22. Underscores the responsibility of all transnational and other business enterprises to respect human rights, including the rights of human rights defenders to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association, and participation in public affairs, which are essential for the promotion and protection of human rights, including economic, social and cultural rights and the right to development, urges enterprises to identify and address any adverse human rights impacts related to their activities through meaningful consultation with potentially affected groups and other relevant stakeholders in a manner consistent with the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights: Implementing the United Nations “Protect, Respect and Remedy” Framework, 7 and underlines the importance of accountability, including of all transnational and other business enterprises, including their provision of, or cooperation in, remediation; 23. Underlines the value of national human rights institutions, established and operating in accordance with the Paris Principles, 8 in the continued monitoring of existing legislation and consistently informing the State about its impact on the __________________ 7 8 6/7 A/HRC/17/31, annex. Resolution 48/134, annex.