A/HRC/19/2 Reaffirming the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and relevant international human rights treaties, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Reaffirming also that, in accordance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, States Members of the United Nations have pledged to achieve, in cooperation with the United Nations, the promotion of universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms for all without distinction such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status, Recalling Human Rights Council resolutions 12/16 of 2 October 2009 and 16/4 of 24 March 2011, on freedom of opinion and expression, 15/21 of 30 September 2010, on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, and decision 17/120 of 17 June 2011, on the panel on the promotion and protection of human rights in the context of peaceful protests, Recalling also 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, Recognizing that, pursuant to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly, of expression and of association are human rights guaranteed to all, while their exercise may be subject to certain restrictions, in accordance with State’s obligations under applicable international human rights instruments, Acknowledging that participation in peaceful protests can be an important form of exercising the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, freedom of expression and of participation in the conduct of public affairs, Acknowledging also that peaceful protests can contribute to the full enjoyment of civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, Reaffirming that everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person, Reaffirming also that participation in public and peaceful protests should be entirely voluntary and uncoerced, Stressing therefore that everyone must be able to express their grievances or aspirations in a peaceful manner, including through public protests, without fear of being injured, beaten, arbitrarily arrested and detained, tortured, killed or subjected to enforced disappearance, Stressing also that peaceful protests should not be viewed as a threat, and therefore encouraging all States to engage in an open, inclusive and meaningful dialogue when dealing with peaceful protests and their causes, Recognizing that national human rights institutions and civil society organizations, including non-governmental organizations, can play a useful role in facilitating continued dialogue between individuals taking part in peaceful protests and relevant authorities, Stressing the need to ensure full accountability for human rights violations or abuses in the context of peaceful protests, Recalling the Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials and the Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials, as adopted at the Eighth United Nations Congress on the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders, 96 GE.13-14768