A/HRC/RES/12/3 page 2 Acknowledging the importance of the ability of the Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers 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, 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, Reaffirming also Council resolution 8/6 of 18 June 2008 on the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers, 1. Notes with appreciation the report of the Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers (A/HRC/11/41), including on the main recent developments in the area of international justice, and invites all Governments to consider seriously the conclusions and recommendations expressed therein; 2. Commends the previous Special Rapporteur for the important work undertaken in the discharge of his mandate; 3 Notes with interest the analysis of individual and institutional parameters elaborated by the previous Special Rapporteur in his report for effectively guaranteeing the independence of the judiciary; 4. Requests the current Special Rapporteur to elaborate safeguards to ensure and strengthen the independence of lawyers, including public defenders where appropriate, as a guarantee in the protection of human rights and the rule of law; 5. Encourages States to promote diversity in the composition of the members of the judiciary and to ensure that the requirements for joining the judiciary and the selection process thereof are non-discriminatory; 6. Calls upon all Governments to respect and uphold the independence of judges and lawyers and, to that end, to take effective legislative, law enforcement and other appropriate measures that will enable them to carry out their professional duties without harassment or intimidation of any kind; 7. Urges all Governments to cooperate with and assist the Special Rapporteur in the performance of her tasks, to provide all information and to respond to communications transmitted to them by the Special Rapporteur without undue delay; 8. Calls upon Governments to give serious consideration to responding favourably to the requests of the Special Rapporteur to visit their countries, and urges States to enter into a constructive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur with respect to the follow-up to and