Lesson #16: The Right to Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and Association

Freedom of expression constitutes one of the essential foundations of a democratic society, one of the basic conditions for its progress and for the development of every person. This is an area where we see police officials called to demonstrate the very highest skills they possess in tact, negotiation and keeping the peace. 
Conflicting opinions, when expressed, often lead to conflict. And they lead to conflicts of rights.

The goal of this lesson is to highlight the importance of recognising that the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association are fundamental rights in a democratic society, and that police have an important role in protecting these rights.

After this lesson the students will be able to:

1. List at least three documents that protect the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association based on the handout
2. List at least two situations when this right legally can be restricted
3. Explain how the police can be prepared for demonstrations as discussed during the presentation
4. Explain the activities of the police in case of demonstrations as discussed during the presentation