Further amendments planned for Law on Assemblies and Manifestations

The Law on Assemblies and Manifestations is set to be amended once again, introducing a requirement to notify the Ministry of Internal Affairs in advance when a gathering or demonstration is planned in an area used for pedestrian movement.

According to the draft amendments submitted at today’s Bureau session, artificially blocking pedestrian passageways will be prohibited unless the number of participants makes such obstruction unavoidable. Blocking pedestrian areas with vehicles, structures or other objects will also be inadmissible. Similar restrictions already apply to blocking road traffic.

Under the proposed changes, organisers must submit a notification to the Patrol Police Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs no later than five days before holding any assembly or demonstration. The Ministry will be required to publicly issue a warning within a reasonable timeframe, as well as to propose an alternative time, place, or route for non-spontaneous gatherings if such a decision is made.

The draft law grants the Ministry of Internal Affairs the authority to open transport or pedestrian routes partially or completely if the number of participants allows the assembly or demonstration to continue without blocking traffic.

In the event of a mass blockage of a roadway, an authorized representative of the Ministry will be allowed to issue a warning to participants and organizers. If the blockage is not cleared within 15 minutes, the entire event will be deemed illegal, may be terminated, and measures permitted under international and domestic law may be applied.

The amendments were initiated by members of the parliamentary majority, who have also requested the bill be considered under an expedited procedure.