Together We Can Do More – Freedom of Assembly

Spis treści

INSTRUCTION

Duration:

45–60 minutes

Keywords: Assemblies, fundamental rights, human rights, Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU, European Convention on Human Rights, Constitution of the Republic of Poland

Suggested group:

Material intended for upper secondary school students

Objectives
  • The student knows the legal basis for freedom of assembly in Poland and the European Union and understands its significance for the functioning of a democratic society.
  • The student can explain the rules for organizing and participating in assemblies and identify the rights and responsibilities of organizers and participants.
  • The student recognizes historical and contemporary examples of assemblies that have influenced social or political change.
  • The student can develop and present principles for safe and responsible participation in an assembly.
  • The student understands the role of freedom of assembly in a democratic state.

Warm-up

Activity:

At the beginning, you can show students a video.

You may ask students:

  • Have you ever witnessed or participated in a public assembly?
  • What kind of event was it?
  • Why do people organize demonstrations?
  • What risks might be associated with restricting this freedom?

KNOWLEDGE ZONE
Source text analysis

Divide the class into small groups (3–6 students). Each group receives a short excerpt from one of the following texts:
• the Constitution of the Republic of Poland (Article 57),
• the European Convention on Human Rights (Article 11),
• the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union (Article 12),
• the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (Article 21).

Group task:

  1. Read the legal text and answer the questions:
    • What does this text say about freedom of assembly?
    • What are the conditions for exercising this freedom?
    • Can the state restrict this right? When and why?
  2. After discussing the legal provisions on freedom of assembly, it is worth focusing on one specific situation: what if citizens want to express their views immediately, without time for formal notification of a demonstration?

This form of assembly is known as spontaneous assemblies. They are characterized by the fact that:

• they are not notified in advance,
• they take place in response to a sudden, significant event (e.g. a court decision, an accident, a political statement).

Although they are not formally notified, they may be legal if:

• the lack of notification results from the sudden nature of the situation and not from an intentional avoidance of the law,
• they do not pose a threat to safety or public order.

You can also present an example of an assembly addressed by the European Court of Human Rights

the Bukta v. Hungary case

In Budapest, a group of people gathered spontaneously to protest against the visit of the Romanian Prime Minister. The demonstration was peaceful, but the police dispersed it because it had not been previously notified.

The Court found that this violated the citizens’ rights, as the authorities were aware that such a demonstration could take place and had the means to secure it. Instead, they applied excessively harsh measures.

The Court emphasized that: “In a democratic society, authorities have an obligation to tolerate spontaneous, peaceful assemblies, even if they have not been formally notified.”

At the end of this section, you can ask:

  • In your opinion, should spontaneous assemblies be protected in the same way as planned ones?
  • How can we distinguish “spontaneous” from “illegal” assemblies?
  • What should the state do when citizens gather without notification but peacefully?

INSPIRATION

Examples of assemblies that changed reality

Teacher’s instructions:

Present or ask students to provide examples of assemblies that had an impact on society or politics, for example:

Task:

Each group chooses one example and answers:

  • What was the purpose of the assembly
  • What were its outcomes?
  • What might have happened if freedom of assembly did not exist?

EXERCISE

“Agreement Map”

Teacher’s instructions:

  • The teacher creates a symbolic line in the classroom (e.g., using masking tape, string, or an imagined line across the middle of the room) representing a spectrum of opinions from “fully agree” to “strongly disagree.” This activity can also be done outdoors, on the school playground or nearby park.
  • The teacher reads each statement aloud. After each statement, students position themselves along the line – closer to one end or the other depending on how much they agree.

Example statements:

  • Everyone should have the right to organize assemblies—regardless of their opinions.

  • Assemblies that may trigger strong emotions should be banned.

  • Assemblies near schools, courts, or churches are inappropriate.

  • Freedom of assembly is more important than the comfort of bystanders.

  • The police should be able to disperse assemblies if they cause social tension.

  • Assemblies that disrupt the daily lives of residents are irresponsible.

  • Everyone should participate at least once in a legal assembly.

  • True freedom of assembly ends where hate speech begins.

  • The state should be able to deny an assembly without giving a reason if there are concerns.

  • The media should not cover controversial assemblies—it only gives them publicity.

After each round, the teacher asks a few students from different points along the line to briefly explain: “Why did you stand here?”

No grading – focus on diversity of opinions and justification.

REFLECTIONS AND SUMMARY

Questions for the class
  • Why is freedom of assembly important in a democracy?
  • How can you exercise it responsibly?

Materials to hand out or display:

Card: Legal basis for freedom of assembly

  • Constitution of the Republic of Poland

Art. 57 Everyone shall be guaranteed the freedom to organize peaceful assemblies and to participate in them.

  • Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU

Art. 12 Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association at all levels, in particular in the political, trade union, and civic fields.

  • European Convention on Human Rights

Art. 11 Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly.

  • International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights

Art. 21 The right to peaceful assembly is recognized. No restrictions may be placed on the exercise of this right other than those imposed in accordance with the law and necessary in a democratic society in the interests of national or public security, public order, protection of health or morals, or the rights and freedoms of others.

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