A/HRC/40/65 I. Introduction 1. In its resolution 28/14, the Human Rights Council established the Forum on Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law “to provide a platform for promoting dialogue and cooperation on issues pertaining to the relationship between these areas” and to “identify and analyse best practices, challenges and opportunities for States in their efforts to secure respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law”. In its resolution 34/41, the Council decided that the theme of the second session of the Forum would be “Parliaments as promoters of human rights, democracy and the rule of law”. 2. The second session of the Forum was held on 22 and 23 November 2018 in Geneva. 3. In accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 28/14, the President of the Council appointed the Chair of the second session of the Forum – Martin Chungong, Secretary-General of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU). 4. The annotated provisional agenda1 of the Forum was prepared under the guidance of the Chair, with inputs from relevant stakeholders.2 The present report was prepared by the Chair and contains a summary of the discussions, as well as recommendations. 5. The Forum was attended by representatives of States, national and regional parliaments, parliamentary associations, United Nations specialized agencies, regional and intergovernmental bodies, national human rights institutions and non-governmental organizations. Over 60 Members of Parliament, from all regions, also attended the Forum. II. Opening of the Forum 6. In his opening remarks, the Vice-President of the Human Rights Council, François Xavier Ngarambé, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Rwanda, noted that Council resolution 28/14 emphasized the importance of dialogue on issues related to human rights, democracy and the rule of law, and recognized the value of sharing best practices, challenges and opportunities for States in their efforts to secure respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law, and the importance of further exploring the interdependent and mutually reinforcing relationship between these three areas. He recalled that Council resolution 34/41 emphasized “the importance of effective, transparent and accountable legislative bodies, and their fundamental role in the promotion and protection of human rights, democracy and the rule of law”. Mr. Ngarambé was pleased to see that many current and former parliamentarians had travelled from across the world to share their expertise. He noted that such participation was in line with resolutions of the Council, and with General Assembly resolution 72/278, which welcomed the inclusion of parliamentarians in national delegations attending major United Nations meetings. He emphasized that strengthening parliaments to allow them to promote human rights, democracy and the rule of law should be an essential objective for any democratic society aspiring to accountability, inclusivity, and respect for human rights. He said that the Council prized engagement with parliaments and parliamentarians. He reaffirmed the commitment of the Council to protect the rights and lives of individuals who cooperated with the United Nations and its mechanisms in the field of human rights, and the Council’s condemnation of acts of intimidation or reprisal against such individuals and groups. 7. The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, welcomed the Council’s decision to hold the Forum, and the space to discuss and propose ways to increase enjoyment of human rights and build stronger democracies and more resilient rule-of-law systems. She remarked that democracy could not be considered in isolation from the rule of law and human rights and that it needed transparent and 1 2 2 A/HRC/FD/2018/1. Submissions received in response to the call for inputs are available at www.ohchr.org/democracyforum.