A/HRC/16/2 6. Decides to continue its consideration of the issue of the right to freedom of opinion and expression in accordance with its programme of work. 45th meeting 24 March 2011 [Adopted without a vote.] 16/5 Mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders The Human Rights Council, Recalling General Assembly resolution 53/144 of 9 December 1998, by which the Assembly adopted by consensus the Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognized Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms annexed to that resolution, and reiterating the importance of the Declaration and its promotion and implementation, Recalling also the continued validity and application of all the provisions of the above-mentioned Declaration, Recalling further all previous resolutions on this subject, in particular Commission on Human Rights resolution 2005/67 of 20 April 2005, Human Rights Council resolutions 7/8 of 27 March 2008 and 13/13 of 25 March 2010, and General Assembly resolution 64/163 of 18 December 2009, 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/her duties in accordance with those resolutions and the annexes thereto, Emphasizing the important role that individuals and civil society institutions, including non-governmental organizations, groups and national human rights institutions, play in the promotion and protection of all human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, 1. Takes note with appreciation of the work conducted by the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders; 2. Decides to extend the mandate of the Special Rapporteur for a period of three years, and requests the Special Rapporteur: (a) To promote the effective and comprehensive implementation of the Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognized Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms through cooperation and constructive dialogue and engagement with Governments, relevant stakeholders and other interested actors; (b) To study, in a comprehensive manner, trends, developments and challenges in relation to the exercise of the right of anyone, acting individually or in association with others, to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms; (c) To recommend concrete and effective strategies to better protect human rights defenders through the adoption of a universal approach, and to follow up on these recommendations; GE.11-17059 13