Exploring the interplay between freedom of assembly and freedom of expression: The case of Russian solo pickets

Abstract

Given the increasing restrictions and rigorous approval procedures for the exercise of freedom of assembly in various parts of the globe, one-person pickets often remain the only available form of voicing one’s opinion. This is the case of Russia, where citizens use solo protests as an opportunity to join together: they can take turns or stand at a distance from one another, forming a ‘group one-person picket’. These realities pose an interesting question: are such group solo protests characterised as freedom of expression or assembly? Through examining the legal nature of solo protests in the practice of international human rights bodies, this article aims to reveal a deeper understanding of the two freedoms involved and the interplay between them.