A/HRC/RES/56/7 and misinformation online in a way that is consistent with international law, including international human rights law, Strongly condemning the use of Internet shutdowns and restrictions, including the blocking of access to communication platforms, to intentionally and arbitrarily prevent or disrupt access to or the dissemination of information online, and stressing the importance of a free, open, interoperable, reliable and secure Internet, Expressing concern that many forms of digital divide remain between and within countries and regions, which have a negative impact on the enjoyment of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, and underlining the need for digital, media and information literacy as well as the need to address prevailing challenges to bridge digital divides, including through partnerships, international cooperation and education, striving to ensure that individuals, especially all women and girls, children and youth, and individuals in vulnerable situations and/or belonging to marginalized groups, are able to connect to and access the Internet in a safe, secure and meaningful way so as to enable their full cultural, economic, political and social participation and to promote the enjoyment of their right to freedom of opinion and expression in an inclusive information society, Recognizing that the gender digital divide, which includes significant gender disparities in terms of access to and the use of information and communications technology, undermines women’s and girls’ full enjoyment of human rights, including the right to freedom of opinion and expression, Reaffirming the fundamental role of the right to freedom of opinion and expression as an enabler for all women and girls to interact with society at large on equal terms and without discrimination, particularly in the realms of cultural, economic, political and social participation, and reaffirming also that the full, equal and meaningful participation of women and girls is critical to achieving gender equality, sustainable development, peace and democracy, Recognizing the essential contribution that civil society organizations and human rights defenders make to the United Nations and other regional and international organizations, and urging States to refrain from practices that restrict the ability of civil society members and human rights defenders to exercise their freedom of opinion or expression and hinder and prevent their meaningful, safe and inclusive participation, Acknowledging the important role of business enterprises, including technology and social media companies, in the exercise of the right to freedom of opinion and expression and in enabling access to information, and recalling that all business enterprises have a responsibility to respect human rights, as set out in the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights: Implementing the United Nations “Protect, Respect and Remedy” Framework, both online and offline, including by implementing human rights due diligence policies and participating in good faith in domestic judicial and non-judicial processes, and that the obligation and the primary responsibility to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms lie with the State, Condemning the use of hate speech, both online and offline, to provoke stigmatization and violence, including political violence, and which might constitute an attempt to restrict the meaningful, inclusive and safe participation of persons, including women and children, and those vulnerable to racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, in public affairs, in particular in relation to decision-making processes, Recalling that the exercise of the right to freedom of expression carries with it special duties and responsibilities, in accordance with article 19 (3) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Stressing the need to ensure that measures for the respect of the rights or reputations of others and the protection of national security, including counter-terrorism, public order and public health measures, are in full compliance with international human rights obligations, including the principles of lawfulness, legitimacy, necessity and proportionality, and stressing also the need to protect human rights, including the right to freedom of opinion and expression and the right to privacy, in accordance with obligations under international law, and safeguarding personal data, 4