A/HRC/RES/34/7 Welcoming also the work of the Special Rapporteur on the right to privacy, and taking note of the reports of the Special Rapporteur on the right to privacy, 2 of the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism3 and of the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, 4 Noting with appreciation general comment No. 16 (1988) of the Human Rights Committee on the right to respect of privacy, family, home and correspondence, and protection of honour and reputation, while also noting the vast technological leaps that have taken place since its adoption and the need to discuss the right to privacy in view of the challenges of the digital age, Noting that, in its general comment No. 16, the Human Rights Committee recommended that States take effective measures to prevent the unlawful retention, processing and use of personal data stored by public authorities and business enterprises, Recalling that the General Assembly in its resolution 71/199 encouraged the Human Rights Council to remain actively seized of the debate on the right to privacy in the digital age with the purpose of identifying and clarifying principles, standards and best practices regarding the promotion and protection of the right to privacy, and to consider holding an expert workshop as a contribution for a future report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on this matter, Recognizing the need to further discuss and analyse, on the basis of international human rights law, issues relating to the promotion and protection of the right to privacy in the digital age, procedural safeguards, effective domestic oversight and remedies, the impact of surveillance on the right to privacy and other human rights, as well as the need to examine the principles of non-arbitrariness, lawfulness, legality, necessity and proportionality in relation to surveillance practices, Recognizing also that the discussion on the right to privacy should be based upon existing international and domestic legal obligations, including international human rights law, and relevant commitments, and should not open the path for undue interference with an individual’s human rights, Reaffirming the human 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, and recognizing that the exercise of the right to privacy is important for the realization of other human rights, including the right to freedom of expression and to hold opinions without interference, and the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association, and is one of the foundations of a democratic society, Recognizing that the right to privacy can enable the enjoyment of other rights and the free development of an individual’s personality and identity, and an individual’s ability to participate in political, economic, social and cultural life, and noting with concern that violations or abuses of the right to privacy might affect the enjoyment of other human rights, including the right to freedom of expression and to hold opinions without interference, and the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association, Noting that the rapid pace of technological development enables individuals all over the world to use information and communications technology and at the same time 2 3 4 2 A/HRC/31/64, A/HRC/34/60 and A/71/368. A/HRC/34/61 and A/69/397. A/HRC/23/40 and Corr.1, A/HRC/29/32, A/HRC/32/38 and A/70/361.