16/ POLICING ASSEMBLIES IN AFRICA: Guidelines for the Policing of Assemblies by Law Enforcement Officials in Africa assemble freely with others and take into account current and historical factors, such as prevailing political or social tensions, and the protection of persons who are vulnerable to limitations of their right to assemble freely with others. 12.4. Contingency plans must provide law enforcement officials with a course of action to help them respond effectively to the assembly and should include: 12.4.1. The provision of essential services, including emergency services, traffic management and medical services; 12.4.2. The facilitation and management of counter-assemblies or simultaneous assemblies; 12.4.3. Measures to be taken to de-escalate tension, to contain any escalation of tension and to deal with the potential for violence during assemblies; 12.4.4. For the eventuality that non-coercive measures turn out not to be effective, the graduated use of any coercive measures and force in accordance with these Guidelines and other relevant regional and international human rights standards; 12.4.5. Measures to minimise harm in all scenarios, including the protection and safety of law enforcement officials, assembly participants, independent monitors and bystanders, with special measures in place to identify and provide specific protection to groups vulnerable to rights abuses in the context of assemblies; 12.4.6. Considerations relating to adverse weather conditions and other environmental factors; 12.4.7. The availability of law enforcement officials and the obligation of law enforcement agencies and the State in general to ensure that officials have adequate training in the management of assemblies, and sufficient rest, access to food and water. 12.4.8. Maintenance of regular internal communication and adequate record-keeping to ensure that all law enforcement officials deployed to an assembly operation are aware of the tactical and other operational plans; 12.4.9. Maintenance of regular external communication with assembly organisers and participants, independent observers, the media and oversight authorities, including on any changes to the tactical or operational approaches of law enforcement officials during the conduct of an assembly operation; 12.4.10. Other hazards and risks identified in the risk assessment that are specific to the context of the particular assembly. 12.5. The outcome of risk assessments and contingency plans should form the basis of a comprehensive briefing for law enforcement officials by operational command prior to deployment to an assembly operation. APCOF Guidelines on policing assemblies TEXT.indd 16 12/04/2017 17:07:43