Analysis of the freedom of assemblies, demonstrations and marches within the scope of the article 11 of the European Convention on Human Rights

The development of the legal framework concerning assemblies, demonstrations and marches as a means of collective expression that renders possible mass participation to democratic processes possible; has long been of importance in the West as well as in Turkey. Assemblies, demonstrations and marches are granted legal protection as fundamental rights under the name of "freedom of assembly and demonstrations" in Turkish law, and under the name of "right to freedom of peaceful assembly" pursuant to the Article 11 of the European Convention on Human Rights. This study aims at determining the theoretical scope of the freedom of assemblies, demonstrations and marches in a first stage; then at proceeding to unveil the content and the principles governing the restriction of said freedom in the jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights and finally at ascertaining to what extent a European law of peaceful assembly exists.