What are the general conditions for organising public meetings?
An organiser of a public meeting must give notice to the police regarding the holding of the meeting and its location if:
- the holding of the meeting requires reorganisation of traffic
- the meeting is intended to be held outside a building or a construction intended for holding gatherings and there are plans to set up a tent, stage, stand or other large-scale structure, or use sound or lighting devices or it may disturb or prevent the usual possession of the building or construction in another manner
Notice has to be given no later than four working days before the meeting, but no earlier than three months in advance. No prior notice needs to be given of a spontaneously assembled meeting.
The notice of holding of a meeting must be submitted in writing and set out the details required by the law. If a meeting notice complies with the requirements, the police accepts the notice and immediately issues to the organiser a written notification of receipt of the meeting notice.
The police may require an organiser of a meeting to change the time or place of holding of the meeting if:
- a notice of holding another meeting at the same place at the same time has been previously received or if there is a predominant public interest for organising another public gathering at the same place at the same time and it is not possible to hold several public gatherings at the same time at that place
- it is unavoidable in order to avoid a serious immediate threat or to counter it
The police may prohibit the holding of a meeting if:
- the organiser of the meeting does not agree to a restriction imposed on them regarding the time or place of the meeting
- there is reason to believe that holding of the meeting causes a serious immediate threat and it is not possible to counter the threat by using a less infringing measure
What human rights violation may there be?
If you are prohibited or held back from conducting a lawful meeting, your right to assembly or freedom of expression may have been violated.
Any restrictions on the freedom of assembly or freedom of expression must be prescribed by law, pursue a legitimate aim, and be necessary in a democratic society. If they fail to meet any one of these three requirements, such a restriction cannot be considered justified.
Read more about freedom of assembly and freedom of expression in this Guide.