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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.
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... Newsletter on Freedom of Association Newsletter #1 Newsletter #2 Newsletter #3 Newsletter #4 Newsletter #5 Newsletter #6 Newsletter #7
Annual Reviews on Freedom of Association in the Euro-Mediterranean Region

« Monitoring Report on Freedom of Association in the Euro-Mediterranean Region » The EMHRN published its second Review on Freedom of Association in the Euro-Mediterranean Region on 8 December 2008, the day before the 10th Anniversary of the UN Declaration on Human rights Defenders. This Report is a follow-up monitoring report to the review that was published last year on the same topic. Based on new indicators, this second report aims at assessing progresses and setbacks pertaining to Freedom of Association in 2008. The report includes one chapter on each of the 11 South and East Mediterranean countries, one chapter on Freedom of Association in the European Union as well as two thematic chapters, one focusing on the impacts of counter-terrorism laws on Freedom of Association and the other a discussion paper on gender and freedom of association. Each of these chapters includes a list of recommendations to the attention of national governments. Read the report here

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. Read the general introduction Read the overview Read the general recommendations		Download the full Review in PDF

Read the national reports

	Algeria		Libya
	Egypt		Morocco
	Europe		Palestine
	Israel		Syria
	Jordan		Tunisia
	Lebanon		Turkey

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 document has been produced with the financial assistance of the European Union. The contents of this document are the sole responsibility of "Beneficiary's name" and can under no circumstances be regarded as reflecting the position of the European Union.

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