7. Calls on the KSA authorities to allow its National Human Rights Association to operate with independence and to comply with the UN standards on national human rights institutions (the Paris Principles);

96. Emphasises the continuing crucial importance of increased EU engagement with African regional actors such as the AU, ECOWAS, the Arab Maghreb Union, and the African regional human rights instruments in generating sustained progress in the human rights and democracy initiatives in the Sahel; urges neighbouring countries such as Senegal, Algeria and Morocco to contribute leadership and help to create a genuine regional dynamic which will boost regional economic development and human rights; recognises ultimately that the lasting solutions to the Sahel’s problems must come from with ...[+++]in that region and be fully owned by its own people; calls, nevertheless, on the EU to continue its commitment to working with and assisting Sahel partners with all appropriate means at its disposal to improve the quality of life of the people in that region and to strengthen ties with their democratic governments;

99. Emphasises the continuing crucial importance of increased EU engagement with African regional actors such as the AU, ECOWAS, the Arab Maghreb Union, and the African regional human rights instruments in generating sustained progress in the human rights and democracy initiatives in the Sahel; urges neighbouring countries such as Senegal, Algeria and Morocco to contribute leadership and help to create a genuine regional dynamic which will boost regional economic development and human rights; recognises ultimately that the lasting solutions to the Sahel’s problems must come from with ...[+++]in that region and be fully owned by its own people; calls, nevertheless, on the EU to continue its commitment to working with and assisting Sahel partners with all appropriate means at its disposal to improve the quality of life of the people in that region and to strengthen ties with their democratic governments;

whereas, despite widespread criticism from civil society and the international community, the promulgation of the Law on Associations and NGOs (LANGO) has given state authorities arbitrary powers to shut down and block the creation of organisations defending human rights, and has already begun to deter human rights defence work in Cambodia and to impede civil society action.

The EU will cooperate closely with non-EU countries that also have policies to protect human rights defenders, and will work with the human rights mechanisms of other regional organisations, such as the African Union, the Organisation of American States and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe

However, they believe that this definition may include inter alia the following organisations: human rights groups and agencies, grassroots organisations, women's associations, youth organisations, child-protection organisations, environmental movements, farmers' organisations, consumers' associations, religious organisations, development support structures (NGOs, teaching and research establishments), cultural associations and the media.