A/HRC/19/2 10. Welcomes the encouraging developments in countries on all continents where free elections have taken place for the first time, positive constitutional changes have been enacted and democratic institutions have been strengthened, thus building confidence in representational governance and contributing to greater national and regional peace and stability; 11. Recalls that democratization can be a fragile process and that the respect of human rights and the rule of law are essential for the stability of democratic societies, including in the context of using information and communication technologies such as the Internet, mobile networks and social media tools; 12. Also recalls that States are guarantors of democracy, human rights, good governance and the rule of law, and bear responsibility for their full implementation; 13. Reaffirms that democracy and racism are incompatible and that any form of impunity condoned by public authorities for crimes motivated by racist, xenophobic or other discriminatory attitudes plays a role in weakening the rule of law and democracy and tends to encourage the recurrence of such acts, and condemns political platforms and organizations based on racism, xenophobia or doctrines of racial superiority and related discrimination, as well as legislation and practices based on racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance; 14. Acknowledges the fundamental importance of education and training on human rights and democracy in contributing to the promotion, protection and effective realization of all human rights; 15. Emphasizes the importance of effective, transparent and accountable legislative bodies, and acknowledges their fundamental role in the promotion and protection of human rights, democracy and the rule of law; 16. Calls upon States to make continuous efforts to strengthen the rule of law and promote democracy by: (a) Upholding the separation of powers by taking appropriate constitutional, legislative, judicial and other institutional measures; (b) Upholding the independence and the integrity of the judiciary; (c) Ensuring that a sufficient degree of legal certainty and predictability is provided in the application of the law, in order to avoid any arbitrariness; (d) Taking active and consistent measures aimed at increasing awareness among the population of their human rights and of their possibilities of resorting to remedies, as established by law and international human rights instruments and mechanisms, when their rights are infringed; (e) Engaging with civil society organizations and institutions and enabling them to participate in the public debate on decisions that would contribute to the promotion and protection of human rights and the rule of law and of any other relevant decisions; (f) Ensuring increased public access to information in a manner that can be understood by people and groups in society regarding the exercise of their rights; (g) Taking active measures to provide equal access to persons with disabilities through means such as the identification and elimination of obstacles and barriers to accessibility, in order to ensure their full participation in all aspects of the democratic processes; (h) Taking appropriate measures and steps to amend electoral laws in order to enable people to vote and participate in elections, without unreasonable restrictions; 100 GE.13-14768