function, including police, gendarmerie, military or private security personnel – is to protect the safety of the public. The State must take all reasonable precautionary steps to protect life and prevent excessive use of force by its agents, including but not limited to the provision of appropriate equipment and training as well as, wherever possible, careful planning of individual operations. States must adopt a clear legislative framework for the use of force by law-enforcement and other actors that complies with international standards, including the principles of necessity and proportionality. Force may be used in law enforcement only in order to stop an imminent threat. The intentional lethal use of force by law enforcement officials and others is prohibited unless it is strictly unavoidable in order to protect life (making it proportionate) and all other means are insufficient to achieve that objective (making it necessary). (28) The right to assemble and to demonstrate is integral to democracy and human rights. Even if acts of violence occur during such events participants retain their rights to bodily integrity and other rights and force may not be used except in accordance with the principles of necessity and proportionality. Firearms may never be used simply to disperse an assembly (29) Members of the armed forces can only be used for law enforcement in exceptional circumstances and where strictly necessary. Where this takes place all such personnel must receive appropriate instructions, equipment and thorough training on the human rights legal framework that applies in such circumstances. (30) Particular attention should be paid to ensuring the availability and use of weapons less likely to cause death or serious injury than are firearms. However such weapons should not be abused – they can also cause death or serious injury. Special training concerning the use of such weapons should be provided. (31) Where advanced technology is employed, law enforcement officials must remain personally in control of the actual delivery or release of force, in a manner capable of ensuring respect for the rights of any particular individual, as well as the general public. 14