

Although restrictions on protests can take on many forms, some of the most troubling responses by authorities and security forces has been the prevalent use of excessive force to disperse protests. Protesters have been detained in at least 100 countries, on the grounds of failure to adhere to COVID-19 measures or other laws related to peaceful assemblies. In addition, and at the heart of the CIVICUS Monitor’s research mandate, the brief also documents where there have been violations on the right to peaceful assembly. The global research brief also documents three other categories of covid-related protests, with a snapshot of country case studies, including labour rights protests, sector-led protests and mass demonstrations to reopen schools. In some instances, people have also protested against COVID-19 measures, such as mask wearing and social distancing, including in Australia, Germany and the USA. In over a quarter of the world’s countries, these protests have often highlighted stark inequalities and called on governments to ease the economic burdens of confinement. From Argentina to Iraq, people have protested against lockdowns and its impact on livelihoods.
Freedom of assembly examples driver#
Other protests were also staged including on, racial justice, women’s rights, and anti-corruption.Īnti confinement measures have been the biggest driver of covid-related demonstrations. Data compiled by the CIVICUS Monitor finds that covid-related protests were staged in at least 86 countries from February 2020 to January 2021. Protests over state responses to the pandemic and economic hardships have been recorded across the world.
Freedom of assembly examples drivers#
A new research brief released today by the CIVICUS Monitor documents where protests took place during the first year of the pandemic, the drivers of those protests and how governments responded to mass mobilisations. However, people quickly returned to the streets and for a wide range of causes. In the early days of the pandemic, restrictions on public gatherings temporarily brought many mass protests movements to a halt. Violations of protest rights widely documented: protesters are being detained, and excessive force is being used by both authoritarian governments and mature democracies.Anti-confinement measures a common driver of covid-related protests.People continue to mobilise to demand their rights during the pandemic.Both protests & restrictions surge during the pandemicĭespite bans & restrictions on freedom of peaceful assembly, protests have been staged in all regions of the world.
