A/HRC/RES/31/37
United Nations
General Assembly
Distr.: General
12 April 2016
Original: English
Human Rights Council
Thirty-first session
Agenda item 3
Resolution adopted by the Human Rights Council on 24 March 2016
31/37.
The promotion and protection of human rights in the
context of peaceful protests
The Human Rights Council,
Reaffirming the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations,
Reaffirming also the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and recalling the
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on
Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and other relevant international and regional human
rights treaties,
Recalling the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action,
Recalling also its decision 17/120 of 17 June 2011 and its resolutions 19/35 of 23
March 2012, 22/10 of 21 March 2013 and 25/38 of 28 March 2014, on the promotion and
protection of human rights in the context of peaceful protests,
Recalling further that States have the primary responsibility for the promotion and
protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, including in the context of
assemblies, and to ensure that national legislation, policies and practices, as the national
framework for the exercise of the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly, of expression and
of association, are in compliance with international human rights law,
1.
Calls upon all 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, recalls that all States have the responsibility in all
circumstances, including in the context of peaceful protests, to promote, respect and protect
human rights and to prevent human rights violations, including extrajudicial, summary or
arbitrary executions, arbitrary arrest and detention, enforced disappearances, torture and
other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, and sexual violence, and calls
upon States to avoid the abuse of criminal and civil proceedings or threats of such acts at all
times;
2.
Underlines the necessity to address the management of assemblies, including
peaceful protests, so as to contribute to their peaceful conduct, and to prevent loss of life of
and injuries to protesters, bystanders, those monitoring such protests and officials
exercising law enforcement duties, as well as any human rights violation or abuse, to ensure
GE.16-05956(E)
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