A/HRC/14/26 have appropriate education and training,13 so as to be able to exercise the rights and duties set out in Principles 12 to 15, consisting primarily in advising and protecting the rights of their clients and in upholding the cause of justice. 32. The International Bar Association’s (IBA) Standards for the Independence of the Legal Profession define the functions of lawyers’ associations as including “to promote a high standard of legal education as a prerequisite for entry into the profession”. The functions of the lawyers’ associations should also include the continuing education of lawyers and the public on the role of a Lawyers’ Association. Also, Principle II (2) of Recommendation No. R (2000) 21 of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, requires that all necessary measures be taken to provide for the continuing education of lawyers. E. Roles and responsibilities of main stakeholders Member States 33. The full implementation of all human rights obligation by a State can only be achieved if those obligations are enforced by judicial, administrative and other decisions or actions. States therefore have a specific interest in ensuring that those involved in the administration of justice have appropriate knowledge of human rights norms and are in a position to implement them. It is thus incumbent on the respective authorities and State institutions to put in place a legislative and policy framework facilitating and supporting human rights legal education and training for judges and lawyers. 34. In this context, it is imperative that the legislature ensures that the judiciary receive sufficient funding from the national budget specifically allocated to continuing legal education. The funding should cover the costs of both human and material resources. Judiciary 35. The judiciary has a critical role to play in assisting in the application of human rights principles and norms binding on the State. The decisions that are made by courts of law can advance, but also hamper, the enjoyment of human rights. Courts may thus contribute considerably to the upholding and implementing by the State of its international human rights obligations by referring to the commitments that the State has undertaken at the international level. The judiciary is central to reinforcing and ensuring accountability for the obligations that the State has undertaken to honour its commitments at the national level. In most jurisdictions, formal recognition of human rights in the constitution is an initial step. At times, the content of the rights has to be interpreted by the courts in cases of conflicting perceptions, vagueness or lack of conceptual clarity. The courts in this regard are important stakeholders in interpreting the standards and their applicability at the domestic level. 36. In this connection, the specific role of judges within the State structure confers upon the judiciary the obligation14 to provide for stringent entry exams for admission as judges and subsequently for a continuing scheme of legal education. 13 14 GE.10-12622 See also Principles and Guidelines on the Right to a Fair Trial and Legal Assistance in Africa, Principle I (a). See Statute of the Ibero-American Judge. 9