A/HRC/27/33 40. Most participants emphasized the crucial role that civil society played in advancing States’ objectives of peace, human rights and development and in the promotion and protection of human rights at the local, national, regional and international levels. It was noted that a free and vibrant civil society contributed greatly to a healthy and stable society, and was a prerequisite for sustainable social and economic development. Civil society’s role went beyond the promotion and protection of human rights to include advancing the purposes and principles of the United Nations. It was recalled that civil society played a major role in preventing human rights violations. Some delegates expressed appreciation for the support that civil society provided to government institutions in the process of the realization of economic, social and cultural rights. Being involved in advocacy, research, social mobilization and local-level development, civil society played a complementary role to government and provided a voice for poor and marginalized groups. 41. Many delegations recognized that dialogue with civil society could contribute to the identification of ongoing and future challenges. It played an indispensable role by channelling the opinions, concerns and suggestions of diverse actors into policymaking processes. Some representatives noted that a vibrant civil society was essential for constructive communication among cultures, faiths and civilizations. It was stressed that civil society represented a mechanism of checks and balances in any democratic State. 42. Some delegations recalled that the important role played by civil society was unanimously recognized at the World Conference on Human Rights in 1993, reaffirmed in many resolutions of the Commission on Human Rights and the Human Rights Council, underlined in many reports by special procedures mandate holders and codified in the institution-building package of the Human Rights Council (resolution 5/1). The Council benefited from the indispensable contribution of civil society. It was pointed out that civil society was also a space for children to express themselves, in conformity with the Convention on the Rights of the Child. 43. Delegations emphasized that it was imperative for States to create and maintain a safe and enabling environment for civil society actors in which they could operate and contribute to the promotion and protection of civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights. It was noted that the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association, and of movement, as well as participation in public life, were all important for civil society. Some States emphasized that the protection of civil society was the foremost responsibility of every State. The protective role of the State was in conformity with its obligations under international human rights law. The empowerment and protection of civil society was essential for an inclusive, transparent and democratic society. Some delegations highlighted the responsibility of States in establishing regulatory frameworks to regulate funding for the work of civil society actors. 44. Some States remarked that, in performing their functions, civil society actors should work within the parameters of a national legal framework consistent with international human rights and humanitarian law obligations. Acting in compliance with domestic laws would mean that they would have full recourse to the protection afforded by such laws. 45. Some participants noted that civil society played a complementary role to that of national human rights institutions. B. Challenges faced by States in their efforts to ensure space for civil society 46. Several delegations expressed concern about the shrinking space for civil society in some States as a result of the introduction of legal, administrative and other restrictions. In some countries, national legislation and other measures did not protect fully the rights and 10