Article 20 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states: “Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.” This simply means that an individual may assemble peacefully with others for any purpose such as speaking his mind, agitating for change, or pursuing common interests without government interference. Then, it also provides that no one should be compelled to join any association and that group activity must be entered into voluntarily. Article 20 plays an important role in a democratic society by protecting citizens’ rights to organize, protest, and collectively talk over matters, enabling a diversity of opinions to flow and find their way in the social fabric towards more social progress.
Written by: Nabeela Mohiud-din