At a time when the fundamental freedoms of peaceful assembly and association are under increased threats in many parts of the OSCE region, the members of ODIHR Panel of Experts on Freedom of Assembly and Association met in Warsaw on 6 and 7 March 2023 to discuss how their expertize can be instrumental in assisting OSCE countries in addressing such challenges.
"A robust and safe civic space is a cornerstone of peaceful societies," said ODIHR Director Matteo Mecacci in his welcoming remarks. "This is why ODIHR strives to support OSCE participating States in creating an enabling environment for the exercise of the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and freedom of association."
During the meeting, the reappointed and newly appointed Panel members, who come from across the OSCE region, provided updates on concerning trends regarding the exercise of both rights. They also discussed topical issues such as the proliferation of laws on so-called "foreign agents", peaceful protest in times of conflict, the use of new technologies in policing assemblies and the interlinkages between freedom of peaceful assembly and freedom of the media.
"The importance of the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association cannot be overstated," said Panel Member Anja Bienert. "That is why it is so important to pay attention to the worrying trend towards restricting these rights that we observe in too many countries of the OSCE region, as similar challenges also affect long-established democracies."
Clément Voule, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights to Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and of Association attended the meeting as an observer.
The outcomes of the discussions and of the Panel's work will contribute to shaping recommendations based on existing human rights standards and adapting ODIHR's work to rapidly changing circumstances and context.
The Panel was established in 2006 as an advisory and consultative body to ODIHR. The Panel contributes to legal analyses and the development of legislative guidelines to ensure that OSCE participating States' legislation and practice on freedom of peaceful assembly and freedom of association are in line with their commitments in this area.
The current Panel consists of 16 members, whose four-year mandate started on 1 January 2023. They come from a variety of backgrounds, including academia, legal professions, assembly policing and civic and human rights groups from across the OSCE region.
