A/HRC/RES/56/3 rights, thus contributing to due process and the smooth functioning of the criminal justice system, and that they should avoid and combat all forms of prejudice, discrimination and stigmatization based on race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status, Emphasizing that the independence and impartiality of the judiciary and the independence of lawyers and the legal profession are necessary elements in the realization of Sustainable Development Goal 16 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, in which States Members of the United Nations committed, inter alia, to provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels, Condemning the increasingly frequent attacks on the independence of judges, lawyers, prosecutors and court officials, in particular threats, intimidation and interference in the discharge of their professional functions, Recalling that every State should provide an effective framework of remedies to redress human rights grievances or violations and that the administration of justice, including law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies and, especially, an independent judiciary and legal profession consistent with applicable standards contained in relevant international instruments, is essential to the full and non-discriminatory realization of human rights and indispensable to the processes of democracy and sustainable development, Recalling also that it is essential to ensure that judges, prosecutors, lawyers and court officials possess the professional qualifications required for the performance of their functions through improved methods of recruitment, as well as legal and professional training, and through the provision of all necessary means for the proper performance of their role in ensuring the rule of law, Noting the importance of tailored and interdisciplinary human rights training for all judges, lawyers, prosecutors and other professionals concerned in the administration of justice as a measure for avoiding discrimination in the administration of justice, Stressing the importance of ensuring accountability, transparency and integrity in the judiciary as an essential element of judicial independence and as a concept inherent to the rule of law when it is implemented in accordance with the Basic Principles on the Independence of the Judiciary and other relevant norms, principles and standards, Emphasizing that judges, prosecutors and lawyers play a critical role in upholding human rights, including the absolute and non-derogable right to freedom from torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, Acknowledging that an independent, impartial judicial and prosecutorial system that integrates and advances gender equality is an important factor for the realization of all human rights, for democracy, the rule of law and the inclusion of all voices in matters of public interest, as well as for the eradication of sexual and gender-based violence and gender stereotypes, and for the enforcement of gender-responsive laws and the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 5 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, Emphasizing the importance of establishing a legal framework that protects judges, prosecutors and lawyers from attacks, threats, harassment and intimidation simply for performing their professional duties, and that judicial bodies, prosecutors’ offices and other legal institutions and organizations should institute safe and effective procedures reflecting international human rights standards that protect, as appropriate, the anonymity of the complainant and avoid re-victimization, while mainstreaming a gender perspective and addressing the specific threats that women participating in the judicial system might face, Acknowledging that digital technologies, if applied with adequate safeguards, have the potential to improve the functioning of justice systems, and that the use of digital technologies provides the potential to build more inclusive, accountable, transparent and efficient institutions, including through digitization and the use of artificial intelligence, search engines, digital case management and digital communication systems, Emphasizing simultaneously that the application of digital technologies in the justice sector may pose risks to the full realization of human rights, inter alia, the risk of exacerbating already existing forms of discrimination, prejudice and stereotypes by reproducing and 2