Freedom of assembly is a protected human right in many regions of the world, allowing people to peacefully assemble with others to pursue mutual interests and goals. It is closely linked to the right to free association. International law and many nations protect this right, including Hong Kong. Citizens have the right to protest and petition their governments, but permits may be required for public safety. The right to free association allows individuals to join any association they wish without interference.
Freedom of assembly is a protected human right in many regions of the world. Under the freedom of assembly, people have the right to peacefully assemble with groups of other people to pursue mutual interests and goals. This concept is closely linked to the right to free association, a human right which pertains to joining associations and organizations.
Under international law, a number of documents outline and protect freedom of assembly. A broad swathe of nations, including Canada, Turkey, France, India and the United States, have also specifically identified freedom of assembly as a protected right. Hong Kong, which operates under a separate government system from mainland China, guarantees its citizens the freedom of assembly.
The right of assembly is used to argue that as long as people do not incite violence or create a clear and present danger, they have the right to come together in groups to exchange information and ideas. Often, this takes the form of protests, as seen in pickets of companies by their workers and political protests where citizens gather to protest government activities. Citizens have the right, under freedom of assembly, to petition their governments to address grievances, although their governments are not required to comply with these petitions.
In essence, freedom of assembly protects the right to hold public meetings. The government may monitor public gatherings to gather information for intelligence agencies or in the interest of protecting public safety, but it may not disrupt or disrupt gatherings. Under the law, permits for public gatherings may be required for reasons of public safety. People usually pay small fees for permits, and the government isn’t allowed to refuse permits based on an organization’s beliefs. Thus, for example, the Klu Klux Klan is just as entitled to a permit as the Jewish Anti-Defamation League.
Government agents can interrupt a public meeting if the meeting is not permitted and poses a risk to public safety, or if the meeting is permitted but poses a clear danger. For example, if participants in a public meeting incite lynching, law enforcement can intervene to disrupt the meeting and prevent violence.
Freedom of closely associated association is a civil right which requires individuals to join any association they wish, without interference. Conversely, people can also refuse membership in organizations. This addresses situations such as union organizing, preventing employers from pressuring their staff to refuse to unionize. It also ensures that people are not forced to join associations they do not wish to join.
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