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#Protests / Assembly

#Protests / Assembly

Freedom of assembly is a human right. The right to peacefully protest is derived from this and other rights, including freedom of association and freedom of speech. Laws that restrict freedom of assembly or expression online or offline, or limit the ability of people to associate in any medium, violate the freedom of assembly.

In 2010, in response to violations of this right around the world – including attacks on protestors by security forces, the proliferation of anti-protest laws, and crackdowns on civil society – the UN Human Rights Council created a Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association.

Freedom of assembly is also protected in numerous international conventions and documents including: Article 20 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 21 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

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