The freedom of assembly is a constitutionally safeguarded right and any restriction could only be implemented in cases where unrest may be caused, President of Cyprus Bar Association, Christos Clerides told CNA, invited to comment on the fact that a Ukrainian-Cypriot friendship group has asked with a letter sent to Cyprus President, Nikos Christodoulides, for the prohibition of pro-Russian events in the Republic of Cyprus.

Clerides told CNA that on the basis of the Constitution and the European Human Rights Convention it is very difficult for exceptions as regards the safeguarded right of assembly to be accepted because the state could then violate individual rights.

He noted that prohibition of this right is rare because this is one of the basic rights defended by democracy that is also linked with the freedom of speech.

States which are members to the European Human Rights Convention are very reluctant in restricting the right of assembly even for issues which are not favourable to some people, Clerides said.

He went on to say that in the cases in which gatherings are illegal and aim at causing unrest, for example through hate speech, because in such cases reactions follow, then the government may impose some restrictions.

Every event has to be considered on its own merits and gatherings cannot be prohibited in general because they are associated with Russia or because they support Putin, Clerides noted.

Source: Cyprus News Agency