New COVID-19 measures limit freedom of assembly

Peaceful Assembly

On 24th November 2020, new COVID-19 measures came into force for at least four weeks, prohibiting public gatherings of more than eight persons. This law includes protests and demonstrations. Whereas many other European countries have provided exceptions to protect the freedom to demonstrate, the Swedish government has opted not to do so, thus severely limiting the freedom of peaceful assembly. This further limitation on the freedom of assembly, reducing the maximum group size from 50 to eight persons, is especially worrying because the same limit does not apply for private gatherings, restaurants, shops, cinemas and (seated) sports events.