A/HRC/44/24 I. Introduction 1. In its resolution 38/11, the Human Rights Council requested the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to prepare a thematic report on new technologies, including information and communications technology (ICT), and their impact on the promotion and protection of human rights in the context of assemblies, including peaceful protests. The present report is submitted in line with that request. 2. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) sought contributions from States and relevant partners, such as United Nations agencies, regional organizations, national human rights institutions, civil society organizations and relevant special procedure mandate holders.1 3. The present report contains an examination of new technologies, including ICT, and their impact on the promotion and protection of human rights in the context of assemblies, including peaceful protests. In the report, it is recalled that the right of peaceful assembly is protected under international human rights law. It is also noted that the effective use of new technologies can enable the exercise of human rights in the context of assemblies. The report also includes an examination of the human rights challenges posed by State interference with the availability and use of new technologies in the context of assemblies; the use of new technologies to track protesters; and the use of new less-lethal weapons and ammunition technology in the context of assemblies. Finally, the report contains some conclusions and recommendations. II. Exercise of human rights in the context of assemblies, including peaceful protests 4. The right to peaceful assembly plays an important role in mobilizing the population, permitting the formulation and expression of grievances and aspirations, facilitating the celebration of events and, importantly, influencing public policies. 2 The year 2019 was momentous, with protests taking place in many countries in all regions. That discontent has continued in 2020. The factors causing people to protest were, and continue to be, complex and varied. Structural and institutional racial discrimination, worsening socioeconomic conditions, corruption, inequality and the denial of other human rights were some of the common root causes. Many of these concerns lie at the core of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and may have been exacerbated by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) crisis. Most protests began peacefully. Nevertheless, in some countries, security personnel at times met protests with the excessive use of force, including lethal force. Some protesters have resorted to violence, resulting in the escalation of tensions and violent confrontations with the security forces. New technologies have played a role in many of these protests, either as an enabler for their organization and coordination or as a tool to restrict or infringe upon protesters’ human rights. 5. The right of peaceful assembly includes the right to hold meetings, sit-ins, strikes, rallies, events or protests, both offline and online. 3 It serves as a vehicle for the exercise of many other rights guaranteed under international law, with which it is linked intrinsically and that form the basis for participating in peaceful protests, 4 in particular the rights to freedom of expression and to take part in the conduct of public affairs. These rights are provided for in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (art. 20 (1)), the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (art. 21) and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (art. 15). Other relevant instruments include 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 (the Declaration on Human Rights Defenders), 1 2 3 4 2 Submissions are available at www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/RuleOfLaw/Pages/CallforInput.aspx. A/HRC/20/27, para. 24. Human Rights Council resolutions 21/16 and 24/5. A/HRC/20/27, para. 12.