A/HRC/17/2 Recalling also its previous resolutions on this subject, resolutions 8/6 of 18 June 2008, 12/3 of 1 October 2009, 13/19 of 26 March 2010 and 15/3 of 29 September 2010, Acknowledging the importance of the Special Rapporteur’s ability to cooperate closely, within the framework of his or her mandate, with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in the fields of advisory services and technical cooperation in an effort to guarantee the independence of judges and lawyers, Recognizing the importance of bar associations and professional associations of judges and non-governmental organizations in the defence of the principles of the independence of judges and lawyers, Noting with concern the increasingly frequent attacks on the independence of judges, lawyers and court officials, Recalling Human Rights Council resolutions 5/1, on institution-building of the Council, and 5/2, on the code of conduct for special procedures mandate holders of the Council, of 18 June 2007, and stressing that the mandate holder shall discharge his or her duties in accordance with those resolutions and the annexes thereto, 1. Commends the Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers for the important work undertaken in the discharge of her mandate; 2. Decides to extend the mandate of the Special Rapporteur for a period of three years, and requests the Special Rapporteur: (a) To inquire into any substantial allegations transmitted to him or her and to report his or her conclusions and recommendations thereon; (b) To identify and record not only attacks on the independence of the judiciary, lawyers and court officials but also progress achieved in protecting and enhancing their independence, and make concrete recommendations, including the provision of advisory services or technical assistance when they are requested by the State concerned; (c) To identify ways and means to improve the judicial system, and make concrete recommendations thereon; (d) To study, for the purpose of making proposals, important and topical questions of principle with a view to protecting and enhancing the independence of the judiciary and lawyers and court officials; (e) To apply a gender perspective in his or her work; (f) To continue to cooperate closely, while avoiding duplication, with relevant United Nations bodies, mandates and mechanisms and with regional organizations; (g) To report regularly to the Human Rights Council, in accordance with its programme of work, and annually to the General Assembly; 3. Urges all Governments to cooperate with and assist the Special Rapporteur in the performance of his or her tasks, to provide all information and to respond to communications transmitted to them by the Special Rapporteur without undue delay; 4. Calls upon Governments to give serious consideration to responding favourably to the requests of the Special Rapporteur to visit their countries, and urges them to enter into a constructive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur with respect to the followup to and implementation of his or her recommendations so as to enable him or her to fulfil his or her mandate even more effectively; GE.12-13630 9