A/HRC/7/69 page 42 Recognize the Basic Principles on the Independence of the Judiciary of 1985 as important benchmarks to assist Member States in endorsing the independence of the judiciary in the Constitution or the law of the country, the Guidelines on the Role of Prosecutors of 1990, and the Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers of 1990, which provide protection for the independence and professional integrity of lawyers and prosecutors so that they can carry out their role in maintaining the rule of law; Recall the Bangalore Principles of Judicial Conduct adopted by the Judicial Integrity Group in 2002 and noted by the former Human Rights Commission in 2003, and the Economic and Social Council in 2006; Welcome General Comment No. 32 on article 14 of the ICCPR on the “Right to equality before courts and tribunals and to a fair trial”, adopted by the Human Rights Committee in 2007; Reiterate the importance given to the conformity of the NHRIs with the Principles relating to the Status of National Institutions as adopted by the UN General Assembly resolution 48/134, on 20 December 1993 (known as “the Paris Principles”), and the need to build partnerships among NHRIs, governments and non-governmental organizations to promote the administration of justice and the rule of law, Note that the Third Conference on the role of NHRIs in Promoting the Independence of the Judiciary in the Arab region has identified challenges and gaps in law and practice, as well as urgent requirements with regard to the independence of the judiciary in the Arab region; Declare that the NHRIs from the Arab region agree to develop and strengthen regional and cross-regional cooperation aiming at exchanging experiences and good practices that support their endeavours to promote and protect human rights at the national level and promote the independence of the judiciary; Emphasize further the key role of the media in raising public awareness on human rights and acknowledging the progress made also by Arab media in dealing with human rights issues; Recommendations We recommend: 1. Arab States that have not yet established NHRIs to do so in accordance with the Paris Principles, to strengthen their independence and effectiveness in law and practice, and to endow them with adequate financial resources; 2. Arab States to reinforce national legal frameworks to promote and protect human rights, the rule of law and an effective administration of justice;