Strengthening the role of the United Nations in enhancing periodic and genuine elections and the promotion of democratization A/RES/74/158 Reaffirming also that the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms at the national and international levels should be universal and conducted without conditions attached and that the international community should support the strengthening and promotion of democracy, development and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in the entire world, 11 Underscoring the important role that regional and subregional organizations play, in accordance with the Charter, in the areas of peace and secur ity, development and human rights, 12 and recalling their commitments to supporting the principles of free and fair elections, Reaffirming that the full and effective participation and representation of women, on equal terms with men, at all levels of decision-making is essential to the achievement of equality, social inclusion, sustainable development, peace and democracy, Stressing the importance, generally and in the context of promoting free and fair elections, of respect for the freedoms of peaceful assembly and association and expression, including the freedom to seek, receive and impart information, in accordance with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and noting in particular the fundamental importance of access to information and media freedom, including through accessible and easy-to-understand formats for new information and communications technologies, Recognizing the potential of online communication tools to promote freedom of expression and expand political participation, as well as to empower persons who belong to underrepresented groups and those who are marginalized, including but not limited to groups mentioned in the report of the Secretary-General on strengthening the role of the United Nations in enhancing the effectiveness of the principle of periodic and genuine elections and the promotion of democratization, 13 and urging States to create and maintain, in law and in practice, a safe and enabling environment for journalists to perform their work independently and wi thout undue interference, Expressing deep concern that the spread of disinformation by both internal and external actors on traditional and social media, as well as efforts to manipulate voting systems and the blocking of the Internet and social media in the framework of elections, constitute an increasing problem for democracies around the world, Recognizing that the spread of hate speech through online platforms can have a damaging impact on electoral processes, Noting that some countries are beginning to use online technology for balloting purposes, and reaffirming the right to privacy, according to which no one shall be subjected to arbitrary or unlawful interference with his or her privacy, family, home or correspondence, and the right to the protection of the law against such interference, as set out in article 12 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and article 17 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and that the same rights that people have offline must also be protected online, Recognizing the need to strengthen democratic processes, electoral institutions and national capacity-building in requesting countries, including the capacity to administer fair elections, promote voter education, the development of electora l expertise and technology and the participation of women on equal terms with men, take all appropriate measures to ensure the effective and full participation of all persons with disabilities on an equal basis with others, increase citizen participation __________________ 11 12 13 19-22284 A/CONF.157/24 (Part I), chap. III, para. 8. Resolution 69/277, para. 2. A/74/285. 3/7