Beirut (9 December 2021) – The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) Regional Office for the Middle East and North Africa launched today a report on the right to freedom of association in the region. The report focuses on 10 countries covered by the Regional Office, namely Algeria, Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
The report reviews laws, policies and practices related to the right to freedom of association and draws on relevant observations and recommendations of the United Nations human rights mechanisms. It identifies challenges, good practices and updates reflected by States on initiatives to strengthen the right to freedom of association.
The report details that registering an association through a system of notification rather than through prior authorization reduces bureaucratic obstacles and complies better with human rights international law. It also recalls that freedom of association extends to all activities of an association including seeking, receiving and using funds and other resources without prior authorization or other undue impediments.
It also indicates that freedom of association implies the freedom to carry out activities in an autonomous manner without undue bureaucratic or substantive hurdles allowing associations to freely determine their statutes, structure and activities and to make decisions without State interference.
Serving as a living document, the report aims to trigger reflection and dialogue on how to enhance the promotion, protection and enjoyment of the right to freedom of association. It further aims to encourage States and civil society to work together for coordinated and collaborative human rights action.
Report in English is available here