Freedom of assembly facts for kids

Cleaners striking in front of the MTV building in Santa Monica, California. Striking in a trade union is a way of exercising freedom of assembly and freedom of association.

Freedom of assembly and freedom of association are important rights. They mean people can gather peacefully with others. This can be to share ideas or work towards common goals. People can meet in public or in private. This right includes joining groups like business clubs or civic organizations. It also covers labor unions, political parties, and protest groups.

What is Freedom of Assembly?

Freedom of assembly means you can meet with other people. You can do this to discuss things or to work together. It's about being able to form groups and express your views. This right helps people make their voices heard. It allows communities to come together for different reasons.

When Can This Freedom Be Limited?

Freedom of assembly does not mean any group can meet for any reason. Sometimes, governments set rules for public gatherings. For example, groups that gather weapons or train soldiers outside the regular military might be stopped. This is usually to prevent violence or major disturbances. The goal is to keep everyone safe and maintain peace.

Where is This Freedom Protected?

Many countries around the world protect the freedom of assembly. They have laws or special parts of their constitutions that ensure this right. These laws help make sure people can gather freely.

Here are some examples:

• Canada: The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms protects this right. It is part of the Constitution of Canada.
• France: Article 431-1 of the Nouveau Code Pénal ensures this freedom.
• Hong Kong: Basic Law Section 27 protects the right to assemble.
• Republic of Ireland: Article 40.6.1 of the Constitution of Ireland guarantees this right.
• Turkey: Articles 33 and 34 of the Constitution of Turkey protect freedom of association and assembly.
• United States: The First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States includes this freedom.
• United Nations: The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Article 20) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (Article 21) also protect these rights for everyone.

Images for kids

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  "Sammankomsten" ("The Meeting"), an oil painting by Ester.Almqvist. This painting was chosen by the UN for a stamp. The stamp celebrated the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, specifically paragraph 20, which is about the Right of Assembly.

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  A posted excerpt from the US Constitution. This was seen at an Occupy Oakland event in 2011.

See also

In Spanish: Derecho de reunión para niños