PERSONS IN UGANDA

4.3.4 Rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly
UDHR
Article 19
Everyone has the right to freedom of thought and expression; this right
includes the freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek,
receive and impart information and ideas.
Article 20(1)
Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.
ICCPR
Article 19(2)
Everyone shall have the right to freedom of expression; this right shall include
freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds,
regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or in print, in the form of art,
or through any other media of his choice.
Article 21
The right to peaceful assembly shall be recognised. No restrictions may be
placed on the exercise of this right other than those imposed in conformity
with the law and which are necessary in a democratic society in the interests
of national security or public safety, public order (ordre public), the protection
of public health or morals or the protection of the rights and freedoms of
others.
Article 22(1)
Everyone shall have the right to freedom of association with others, including
the right to form and join trade unions for the protection of his interests.
Interpretation of the provisions
Freedoms of opinion and expression have been said to be indispensable conditions for
the full development of a person. They constitute the foundation stone for every free
and democratic society. 93 No person is supposed to be subjected to the impairment
of any rights under the covenant on the basis of his or her actual, perceived or
supposed opinions. The Human Rights Committee has emphasised that all forms of
opinion are protected, including opinions of a political, scientific, historic, moral or
religious nature. 94 Any effort to coerce the holding or not holding of any opinion
is prohibited. The freedoms of expression and opinion especially protect opinions
and expressions that others may find offensive. 95 The Human Rights Committee has
explicitly stated that the right to freedom of expression and opinion protects the
right of LGBTI persons to publicly give expression to their sexual orientation and
93 Human Rights Committee General comment No 34 Para 2, CCPR/C/GC/34
94 Above, Para 9.
95 Above, Para 1.1.
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