United Nations Special Rapporteur Maina Kiai has released a concise, easy-to-use fact sheet on the right to freedom of association, which summarizes key principles in international law and best practices for promotion of the right. A companion fact sheet for the right to freedom of peaceful assembly was released earlier this month. Both fact sheets, which each fit on a single page front and back, draw heavily from the Special Rapporteur’s 2012 report on best practices to promote and protect the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association. They are presented in an accessible Q&A format, with each question hitting on major assembly and association rights themes. The fact sheets also provide references to core international standards on the right to freedom of peaceful assembly, with links. The fact sheet is currently available in the following languages: English • Azərbaycan • 漢語 • 中文 • বাংলা • ру́сский • Кыргыз • Türkmen dilinde • Ўзбек • Қазақ • Тоҷикӣ * all non-English versions are unofficial; translations not verified by the UNSR If you or your organization are interested in translating the fact sheet into another language, please contact us at info@freeassembly.net See also: The Right to Freedom of... Continue reading →
United Nations Special Rapporteur Maina Kiai has released a concise, easy-to-use fact sheet on the right to freedom of peaceful assembly, which summarizes key principles in international law and best practices for promotion of the right. (Nov. 21, 2014 update: Click here for the companion fact sheet on the right to freedom of association) The fact sheet, which fits on a single page front and back, draws heavily from the Special Rapporteur's 2012 report on best practices to promote and protect the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association. It is presented in an accessible Q&A format, with each question hitting on major assembly rights themes. The fact sheet also provides references to core international standards on the right to freedom of peaceful assembly, with links. "The protection of rights starts with people knowing their rights," Kiai said. "I hope that this fact sheet is useful and I encourage people to share it widely." If you or your organization are interested in translating the fact sheet into another language, please contact us at info@freeassembly.net The document is currently available in the following languages: English • Հայերեն • 漢語 • 中文 • বাংলা • ру́сский * all non-English versions are unofficial; translations not... Continue reading →
United Nations Special Rapporteur Maina Kiai called on all governments and the international community to further promote and protect the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, “violated or at risk in a number of countries.” “It is astonishing how often States have encroached upon the right of individuals to assemble peacefully by also violating their rights to life and to be free from torture, rights which allow no limitation,” Mr. Kiai said during the presentation of his annual report to the UN Human Rights Council, in which he makes a number of recommendations to establish minimum standards to protect the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association. “I understand that the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association may be welcomed with reserve by those States that fear dissent,” but he stressed that such rights are essential components of democracy. “States should protect the rights of all individuals, including persons espousing minority or dissenting views or beliefs, human rights defenders, trade unionists or even migrants, to assemble peacefully and associate freely.” “Freedom to peacefully assemble and associate is to be considered the rule and limitations the exception,” the independent human rights expert underscored.... Continue reading →
The right of peaceful assembly covers not only the right to hold and to participate in a peaceful assemblies but also the right to be protected from undue interference. It further protects those monitoring peaceful assemblies. The right to freedom of association ranges from the creation to the termination of an association, and includes the rights to form and to join an association, to operate freely and to be protected from undue interference, to access funding and resources and to take part in the conduct of public affairs. In this report, Special Rapporteur Maina Kiai highlights best practices worldwide that promote and protect the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, covering areas such as: • The definition of "peaceful assembly" and "association" • The presumption in favor of allowing peaceful assemblies • Notification vs. authorization of peaceful assemblies • The right to be protected from undue interference during assemblies • Building capacity of law enforcement • The rights of monitors and journalists in the context of peaceful assemblies • The right to form and join an association, including unregistered associations • The right to operate an association freely and be protected from undue interference • The right for associations to... Continue reading →
