A/HRC/38/25 16. In the same resolution, the Council encouraged States, in accordance with their national legal framework, to promote the involvement of parliaments in all stages of the universal periodic review reporting process through, inter alia, the inclusion of the national parliament as a relevant stakeholder in the consultation process for the national report, and in the implementation of supported recommendations by the State concerned, and to report on such involvement in their national reports and voluntary midterm reports, or during the interactive dialogue session of the universal periodic review. It also welcomes the increasingly widespread practice of States under review including parliamentarians in their national delegations participating in the universal periodic review, and encourages States to continue that practice, as appropriate. 17. As mentioned in the report of the Secretary-General on interaction between the United Nations, national parliaments and IPU (A/70/917), with the support and collaboration of OHCHR, IPU held four regional seminars for parliamentarians on the work of the Council and the universal periodic review process, namely in Bucharest, in February 2014, in Montevideo, in July 2014, in Rabat, in September 2014, and in Manila, in February 2015. A fifth such seminar was held in Nadi, Fiji, in November 2016. Parliamentarians from the respective regions were brought together at the seminars with a view to familiarizing them with the universal periodic review process, and identifying areas for their intervention and involvement. The seminars were a first step in the process of documenting good practices and challenges relating to parliamentary involvement in the work of the Council, and ways to replicate those good practices. The good practices discussed at the first four seminars were presented at a side event during the twenty-ninth session of the Human Rights Council. IV. Role of parliaments in the promotion and protection of human rights 18. Parliaments are cornerstones of national human rights protection systems. In order to be effective, such systems require, as a minimum: (a) an independent judiciary; (b) law enforcement and corrections officers who work in accordance with international human rights standards; (c) a parliament that contributes to the application of international human rights obligations and that has an oversight function with respect to human rights; (d) an effective and independent national human rights institution, in line with the principles relating to the status of national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights (the Paris Principles); (e) systems for the protection of minorities and the most vulnerable groups; and (f) freedom for human rights defenders and media professionals to undertake investigative work. 19. Parliaments are instrumental in establishing and ensuring the proper functioning of such systems, laying the foundation for, and strengthening, the rule of law and its institutions, including the judiciary. They play a critical role in ensuring States’ compliance with their international human rights obligations, and provide oversight regarding the functioning of government and national institutions mandated to promote and protect human rights. 20. From a legislative perspective, building legal and policy frameworks and ensuring that they comply with international and regional human rights norms is a key role for parliaments. Parliaments may also be charged with ratifying international and regional human rights treaties that have been signed by the executive, domesticating treaties once signed and withdrawing any reservations to such treaties. 21. However, it is not only through that legislative function that parliaments contribute to the respect for human rights. They also exercise oversight over the executive, including to ensure that it fulfils its role of respecting, protecting and promoting human rights, thus holding the Government accountable on behalf of the people. In order to do that effectively, parliamentarians need to be able to speak freely, without fear of reprisal. 22. The relationship of parliaments with national human rights institutions is also pivotal. Indeed, parliaments play a fundamental role in the creation and effective functioning of such institutions, in accordance with the Paris Principles and good practices, 5