A/HRC/RES/44/20 and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, and the updated training package of the Office of the High Commissioner on human rights law and law enforcement, Recalling the importance of adequate training, equipment, oversight and accountability for officials and private personnel exercising law enforcement duties assigned to the management of assemblies, and of refraining, to the extent feasible, from assigning military personnel to perform such duties, while reaffirming that the State’s international obligations and commitments in relation to the use of force in the context of law enforcement also apply to the military when it is performing law enforcement duties, and that private personnel should respect internationally recognized standards, Recognizing the critical role that law enforcement plays in respecting and protecting human dignity and maintaining and upholding the human rights of all persons, including in the facilitation of assemblies, Taking note with appreciation of the guidance provided by the Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association in the context of the COVID19 pandemic,1 Underlining that considerations such as the health risks posed by the COVID-19 pandemic should not be used to restrict human rights and fundamental freedoms, such as the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly, of expression and of association, in an unnecessary or disproportionate manner, and that any restriction of human rights guaranteed by international instruments must fulfil the strict requirements laid down in those instruments, 1. Takes note with appreciation of the thematic report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on the impact of new technologies on the promotion and protection of human rights in the context of assemblies, 2 submitted in accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 38/11; 2. Expresses deep concern regarding the instances in which peaceful protests have been met with repression, including the unlawful use of force by law enforcement officials, the misuse of less-lethal weapons, arbitrary arrests and detention, torture and enforced disappearance, as well as undue restrictions, such as Internet shutdowns and assaults on protesters, bystanders, human rights defenders, journalists and other media workers; 3. Recalls that States have the responsibility, including in the context of peaceful protests, to promote and protect human rights and to prevent human rights violations and abuses, including extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, arbitrary arrest and detention, enforced disappearances and torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, and calls upon States to avoid the abuse of criminal and civil proceedings, or threats of such acts, at all times; 4. Calls upon States to promote a safe and enabling environment for individuals and groups to exercise their rights to freedom of peaceful assembly, of expression and of association, both online and offline, including by ensuring that domestic legislation and procedures relating to the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly, of expression and of association are in conformity with their international human rights obligations and commitments to clearly and explicitly establish a presumption in favour of the exercise of these rights, and that they are effectively implemented; 5. Also calls upon States to ensure that all human rights are respected, protected and fulfilled also during emergencies, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, and that their responses are in full compliance with their human rights obligations and commitments; 6. Encourages all States to give due consideration to the compilation of practical recommendations for the proper management of assemblies based on best practices and lessons learned,3 which provides a useful tool for States on how to fulfil their obligations and commitments, including on how to operationalize them in their domestic laws, procedures 1 2 3 4 Clément Voule, “States responses to Covid 19 threat should not halt freedoms of assembly and association”, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, 14 April 2020. A/HRC/44/24. A/HRC/31/66.