24/ POLICING ASSEMBLIES IN AFRICA: Guidelines for the Policing of Assemblies by Law Enforcement Officials in Africa to the safety of persons, of substantial damage to property, or to the rights and freedoms of others, providing that all reasonable attempts have been made to minimise the harm. Use of force in the dispersal of assemblies must comply with these Guidelines and other regional and international human rights standards. 22.6. Firearms may never be used simply to disperse an assembly. 22.7. Observers of an assembly, including journalists, must not be prevented from observing and recording the dispersal operation. APCOF Guidelines on policing assemblies TEXT.indd 24 12/04/2017 17:07:44