RightsCon: Online or on the streets our right to protest is real

RightsCon: Online or on the streets our right to protest is real - Civic Space

Summary

States have an obligation to respect and ensure the exercise of the right to peaceful assembly and not restrict it, but global protests for democracy, justice and equality have been increasingly met with restrictions online and offline.

The UN Human Rights Committee adopted General Comment No.37 on Article 21 on Right of peaceful assembly on 23 July 2020. The General Comment strengthens the protection of international law on the right of peaceful assembly and provides authoritative guidance to state actors. It comes at a pivotal time when global mass protests fighting for democracy, justice and equality have been increasingly met with restrictions.

ARTICLE 19 and partners have developed this video to give an account of the concerning situation and the opportunities for progress. Listen to activists from Singapore, Kenya, India and Vietnam as they tell their stories.