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Freedom of Association: An Indicator of Democratic Development


Freedom of association is a core civil and political right (closely linked to freedom of expression and assembly) protected by all international instruments related to Human Rights. Freedom of association is a prerequisite for the sound development of political parties, trade unions, NGOs (including human rights NGOs) and more generally for a vibrant civil society. As such it is an important indicator of democratic development.

 
Review on Freedom of Association in the Euro-Mediterranean Region


In december 2007, the Euro-Meditteranean Human Rights Network issued the first report on freedom of association. This work includes a complete inventory, country by country, of the exercise of freedom of association in the Euro-Mediterranean region.

Download the full Review in PDF
  • Read the national reports

Algeria

Libya

Egypt

Morocco

Europe

Palestine

Israel

Syria

Jordan

Tunisia

Lebanon

Turquey

Freedom of Association Working Group

The Network has identified freedom of association as one of its key working areas for the future and decided at its last General Assembly to establish a working group dealing with this specific issue.
Read more...
 

Other initiatives regarding Freedom of Association


Cairo Institute for Human rights Studies
The project aims at Enhancing the right to association as prescribed in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The activities will involve Field and Legal Analysis of the Right to form Associations in Egypt, Developing a Draft Amending the Law on Civil Societies and Advocacy Activities. Visit the CIHRS website
 
Club of Madrid
Club of Madrid initiative aims to strengthen the basis for dialogue and democratic discourse on freedom of association in the Middle East and North Africa by using the leadership experience of the Club of Madrid’s 70 Members, all democratic former Heads of State and Government. Club of Madrid support for dialogue between authorities and civil society through survey mission. Project partner FRIDE will simultaneously initiate an independent analysis of progress to date. First year: Bahrain, Morocco and Jordan; Second year: Egypt, Tunisia and Saudi Arabia. Visit the Club de Madrid website

Nauman Foundation
The project aims at strengthening the rule of law and democratic process through Development and production of guidelines for legislation (these include the political parties’ law, the NGO law, labour unions law), Promotion of those model laws through advocacy and local and regional pressure groups, Promotion and adoption of the Code and Arab Charter on Democratic Practices within the Arab NGO sector and political parties. Visit the Nauman Foundation website
This page has been created with the support of the European commission (The opinions expressed by the authors do not represent the official point of views of financial donors)