Launch of Guidelines on Freedom of Association

The Guidelines on Freedom of Association, jointly drafted by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR) and the Council of Europe’s Commission for Democracy through Law (Venice Commission), were developed to further the goal of implementing the right to freedom of association and were adopted at the Venice Commission’s 101st session on 12-13 December 2014. These guidelines aim to offer advice and expertise on how to legislate on freedom of association-related matters, in a manner that is compliant with international human rights standards and OSCE commitments. They also reflect evolving good state practices, and are intended to enhance awareness of the above rights in general. They will offer a practical toolkit to legislators tasked with drafting laws which regulate or affect associations, but also to associations, members of associations and human rights defenders, to support advocacy in this field of human rights law.

The Guidelines will be officially launched on 5 March 2015 in Geneva on the margins of the UN Human Rights Council Spring Session (please note that access to UN premises is subject to the issuance of a UN security badge).