On March 11, 2019, the World Movement for Democracy submitted a general comment on Article 21 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), outlining the rights of peaceful assembly and association established by international law and regional norms. The World Movement’s response focuses on the right of individuals and associations, including civil…
Nicaraguan Police Forces Attack and Arrest Peaceful Protesters The World Movement for Democracy condemns the use of indiscriminate violence by the Nicaraguan police forces on March 16, when they attacked a demonstration calling for the release of political prisoners and arrested 164 protesters. Among those arrested was World Movement Steering Committee member Sofia Montenegro. The…
Egypt The #SetThemFree campaign highlights seven new Egyptian political prisoners and activists facing sustained judicial harassment. Amal Fathy is a former member of the April 6 Youth Movement, arrested and sentenced to two years for denouncing the Egyptian government for failing to protect women against sexual harassment in a Facebook video. Shady Ghazaly Harb is…
The emergence and rapid expansion of online spaces has created opportunities for democrats and ordinary citizens in relatively closed societies to enjoy the freedom to assemble and associate in online spaces. Unfortunately, these freedoms have been systematically curtailed as authoritarian governments more aggressively block websites, shut down the internet, surveil users, and prosecute people for…