A/HRC/RES/30/9 Recognizing that the rights of everyone to freedom of expression, to peaceful assembly, to freedom of association, to education, and access to information, as well as inclusive economic empowerment, are among the essential conditions for equal participation in political and public affairs and must be promoted and protected, Recognizing also the need for further work on the full and effective implementation of the right to participate in public affairs in the context of article 25 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, including by identifying possible gaps in existing guidance on the implementation of this right, Recognizing further the need to intensify efforts to eliminate barriers in law and in practice and to actively facilitate full and effective participation in political and public affairs, Welcoming the work of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the special procedures, the treaty bodies and other relevant human rights mechanisms on identifying and addressing obstacles to the full implementation of the right to participate in public affairs, 1. Expresses concern that, despite progress made towards the full implementation of the right to participate in public affairs worldwide, many people continue to face obstacles, including discrimination, in the enjoyment of their right to participate in the public affairs of their countries as well as in the enjoyment of other human rights that enable it; 2. Recognizes that women, persons belonging to marginalized groups or minorities, and persons in vulnerable situations are among those who are most affected by discrimination in participation in political and public affairs; 3. Reaffirms the obligation of States to take all appropriate measures to ensure that every citizen has an effective right and opportunity to equal participation in public affairs; 4. Notes the emergence of new forms of participation and grass-roots engagement, in particular through new information and communications technology and social media, and the challenges to established forms of political participation in some States; 5. Notes with interest the study on promotion, protection and implementation of the right to participate in public affairs in the context of existing human rights law prepared by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights,1 and welcomes the contributions of States and other stakeholders to the study; 6. Invites States to consider best practices and experiences with respect to the implementation of the right to participate in public affairs when fulfilling their human rights obligations, and to share their best practices and experiences in this regard at the regional and international levels, including when reporting to the United Nations human rights system, in order to facilitate full, effective and equal participation in political and public affairs; 7. Urges all States to ensure the full, effective and equal participation of all citizens in political and public affairs, including by, inter alia: 1 2 A/HRC/30/26.