Observers and Human Rights Defenders

Observers and human rights defenders are included within the personal scope of Article 11. This protection extends to individuals acting as observers for human rights organizations and those participating in public gatherings as human rights activists. For instance, Ms. Polyakova, who acted as an observer for human rights organizations, was considered protected under Article 11 during a gathering (400_13). Similarly, a human rights activist attending a public gathering was considered protected under Article 11 (195_6, 195_7, 195_8, 195_9, 195_10). The applicant in case 225_14, a human rights activist participating in a public event, was recognized as exercising his right to freedom of assembly (225_14, 225_21, 225_22, 225_23, 225_24). The Court has consistently included observers and human rights defenders within the personal scope of Article 11, recognizing their protection during public assemblies (598_1, 598_5).