This thesis is concerned with the protection of freedom of assembly and demonstrationin constitutional law. The study includes the constitutional systems of Sweden,Germany and USA and describes the level of protection in those systems. The mainpurpose of the study is to analyse the Swedish system and to point out its strong andweak sides. The comparative material is used to enhance this analysis.
In Sweden freedom of assembly and demonstration is guaranteed by the Instrument ofGovernment (RF). The rights are defined in RF 2:1 and the possibility to restrict themare given in RF 2:12-14. The central legal questions of this thesis concerns what thisprotection includes. Who can claim constitutional protection and against whom cansuch claims be made? What is the "speech" protected by the freedom of speech-clausein RF 2:1? What is a "meeting" in the meaning of the freedom of assembly-clause inRF 2:1? What is the meaning of the term "public space" as regards the freedom ofdemonstration? What is a "restriction" of a constitutional right? The answers to thesequestions show that some traditionally accepted concepts in Swedish constitutional lawcan be criticized.
An attempt is made to model an alternative framework for reasoning in the area ofconstitutionally protected rights. In this model the focus is shifted from definitions ofrights to the possibilities of restricting given rights. It therefore can be said to betterfollow the structure of the constitutional provisions in RF. It is also a model that ismore in accordance with the European Convention on Human Rights than thetraditional view. The last part of the thesis deals with the effects of this new constitutional approach on statutory law. It is shown that most statutory law in the area offreedom of assembly and demonstration is in accordance with this model, but that thereis need for constitutional change in certain areas.