International Law of Freedom of Association
in the Arab World

Collected by Kareem Elbayar
ICNL Middle East / North Africa Specialist
07 January 2007

This document contains excerpts from international legal instruments that
relate to the freedom of associati on and are applicable to the twenty-two
countries that are member s of the League of Arab States. Note that although
Palestine is a member of the Arab League and has rece ived “observer” status at
the United Nations, it is not yet recognize d as a state by the UN and thus cannot
sign or ratify any international treaty.
1

Table of Contents

A. Non-Treaty Instruments*
I. Universal Declaratio n of Human Rights ……………………………………………………. 2
II. Declaration on Human Rights De fenders…………………………………………………. 2

B. Treaty Instruments
III. International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights ………………………………….. 2
IV. First Optional Protocol to the Inter national Covenant on Civil and Political
Rights ………………………………………………………………
……………………………… 3
V. International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cult ural Rights ……………….. 4
VI. International Labor Organi zation Convention No. 87 ………………………………… 5
VII. International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial
Discriminat ion ………………………………………………………………
………………….. 6
VIII. Convention on the Elimination of A ll Forms of Discrimination against Women
………………………………………………………………
………………………………………. 8
IX. Convention on the Ri ghts of the Child ………………………………………………….. 10
X. African Charter on Human and Peoples ’ Rights ……………………………………… 11
XI. Arab Charter on Human Rights …………………………………………………………… 12

* The non-treaty instruments included her e were adopted unanimously by the
General Assembly of the United Nations. Some provisions of these instruments
are now considered to form cu stomary international law.
1 See General Assembly Resolution 3237, UN Doc. A/RES/3237 (22 November 1974) (establishing the
“Palestine Liberation Organization” as an observer to the UN) and General Assembly Resolution 43/177,
UN Doc. A/RES/43/177 (15 December 1988) (changing the designa tion of the Palestinian observer from
“Palestine Liberation Organization” to “Palestine”).

I. Universal Declaration of Human Rights 2

Article 20
1. Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.
2. No one may be compelled to belong to an association.

Article 29
1. Everyone has duties to the community in which alone the free and full
development of his personality is possible.
2. In the exercise of his rights and freedo ms, everyone shall be subject only to such
limitations as are determined by law so lely for the purpose of securing due
recognition and respect for the rights and freedoms of others and of meeting the
just requirements of mora lity, public order and the general welfare in a
democratic society.
3. These rights and freedoms may in no case be exercised contrary to the purposes
and principles of the United Nations.

II. Declaration on Human Rights Defenders 3

Article 1
Everyone has the right, individually and in a ssociation with others, to promote and to
strive for the protection and realization of human rights and fundamental freedoms at
the national and international levels.

Article 5
For the purpose of promoting and protecti ng human rights and fundamental freedoms,
everyone has the right, individually and in a ssociation with others, at the national and
international levels:
(a) To meet or assemble peacefully;
(b) To form, join and participate in non-governmental organizations,
associations or groups;
(c) To communicate with non-governme ntal or intergovernmental
organizations.

III. International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights 4

Article 21
The right of peaceful assembly shall be r ecognized. No restrictions may be placed on
the exercise of this right other than those imposed in conformity with the law and
which are necessary in a democratic society in the interests of national security or
2 Adopted by General Assembly Resolution 217a (III) of 10 December 1948. Source:
https://www.ohchr.org/english/about/publications/docs/fs2.htm.
3 Adopted by General Assembly Resolution A/RES/53/144 of 8 March 1999. Source:
https://www.ohchr.org/english/issu es/defenders/declaration.htm.
4 Entry into force 23 March 1976; adopted by the General Assembly in Resolution 2200a (XXI) of 16
December 1966. Source: https://www.o hchr.org/english/law/ccpr.htm.

public safety, public order (ordre public), the protection of public health or morals or
the protection of the rights and freedoms of others.

Article 22
1. Everyone shall have the right to freedom of association with others, including the
right to form and join trade unions fo r the protection of his interests.
2. No restrictions may be placed on the exercise of this right other than those which
are prescribed by law and which are necessary in a democratic society in the
interests of national security or public safety, public order (ordre public), the
protection of public health or morals or the protection of the rights and freedoms
of others. This article sh all not prevent the imposition of lawful restrictions on
members of the armed forces and of the po lice in their exercise of this right.
3. Nothing in this article shall authorize St ates Parties to the International Labour
Organisation Convention of 1948 concerning Freedom of Association and
Protection of the Right to Organize to take legislative measures which would
prejudice, or to apply the law in such a manner as to prejudice, the guarantees
provided for in that Convention.

Arab states not ratifying : Comoros, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE.

Arab states ratifying (date) 5: Algeria (12 September 1989), Bahrain (20
September 2006), Djibouti (5 November 2002), Egypt (14 January 1982), Iraq
(25 January 1971), Jordan (28 May 1975), Kuwait (21 May 1996), Lebanon (3
November 1972), Libya (15 May 1970) , Mauritania (17 November 2004),
Morocco (3 May 1979), Somalia (24 January 1990), Sudan (18 March 1986),
Syria (21 April 1969), Tunisia (18 Ma rch 1969), Yemen (9 February 1987).

Applicable Reservations:
[None]

IV. First Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and
Political Rights 6

Article 1
A State Party to the Covenant that becomes a Party to the present Protocol
recognizes the competence of the Co mmittee to receive and consider
communications from individuals subject to its jurisdiction who claim to be
victims of a violation by th at State Party of any of the rights set forth in the
Covenant. No communication shall be rece ived by the Committee if it concerns a
State Party to the Covenant which is not a Party to the present Protocol.

5 Source: https://www.ohchr.org/english/countries/ratification/4.htm. 6 Entry into force 23 March 1976; adopted by the General Assembly in Resolution 2200a (XXI) of 16
December 1966. Source: https://www.o hchr.org/english/law/ccpr.htm.

Article 2
Subject to the provisions of article 1, individuals who claim that any of their
rights enumerated in the Covenant have b een violated and who have exhausted all
available domestic remedies may su bmit a written communication to the
Committee for consideration.

Arab states not ratifying : Bahrain, Comoros, Egyp t, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait,
Lebanon, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan,
Syria, UAE.

Arab states ratifying (date) 7: Algeria (12 September 1989) , Djibouti (5 November
2002), Libya (16 May 1989), So malia (24 January 1990).

Applicable Reservations:
[None]

V. International Covenant on Econom ic, Social, and Cultural Rights 8

Article 8
1. The States Parties to the present Covenant undertake to ensure:
(a) The right of everyone to form trade un ions and join the trade union of his
choice, subject only to the rules of the organization concerned, for the
promotion and protection of his economic and social interests. No
restrictions may be placed on the exercise of this right other than those
prescribed by law and which are necessary in a democratic society in the
interests of national security or public order or for the protection of the
rights and freedoms of others;
(b) The right of trade unions to es tablish national federations or
confederations and the right of the la tter to form or join international
trade-union organizations;
(c) The right of trade unions to function freely subjec t to no limitations other
than those prescribed by law and wh ich are necessary in a democratic
society in the interests of national security or public order or for the
protection of the rights and freedoms of others;
(d) The right to strike, provid ed that it is exercised in conformity with the
laws of the particular country.

2. This article shall not prevent the imposition of lawful restrictions on the exercise of
these rights by members of the armed forces or of the police or of the administration
of the State.

3. Nothing in this article shall authorize States Parties to the International Labour
Organisation Convention of 1948 concerning Freedom of Association and Protection
7 Source: https://www.ohchr.org/english/countries/ratification/5.htm. 8 Entry into force 3 January 1976; adopted by the General Assembly in Resolution 2200a (XXI) of 16
December 1966. Source: https://www.unh chr.ch/html/menu3/b/a_cescr.htm.

of the Right to Organize to take legislative measures which would prejudice, or apply
the law in such a manner as would prejudi ce, the guarantees provided for in that
Convention.

Arab states not ratifying : Bahrain, Comoros, Mauritani a, Oman, Palestine, Qatar,
Saudi Arabia, UAE.

Arab states ratifying (date) 9: Algeria (12 December 1989), Djibouti (5 February
2003), Egypt (14 April 1982), Iraq (3 January 1976), Jordan (3 January 1976),
Kuwait (21 August 1996), Lebanon (3 J anuary 1976), Libya (3 January 1976) ,
Morocco (3 August 1979), Somalia (24 April 1990), Sudan (18 June 19
86), Syria
(3 January 1976).

Applicable Reservations:
Algeria: “…The Algerian Government interprets the pr ovisions of article 8 of the Covenant on
Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and article 22 of the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
as making the law the framework for action by the State with respect to the organization and
exercise of the right to organize.”

Kuwait: “The Government of Kuwait reserves the ri ght not to apply the provisions of article 8,
paragraph 1 (d).”

VI. International Labor Organization Convention No. 87 10

Article 2
Workers and employers, without distinction whatsoever, shall have the right to
establish and, subject only to the rules of the organisation concerned, to join
organisations of their own choosing without previous authorisation.

Arab states not ratifying : Bahrain, Djibouti, Iraq , Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco,
Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, UAE.

Arab states ratifying (date) 11: Algeria (19 October 1962), Comoros (23 October
1978), Egypt (11 June 1957), Kuwait (21 September 1961), Libya (4 October
2000), Mauritania (20 June 1961) , Syria (26 July 1960).

Applicable Reservations:
[UNKNOWN] 9 Source: https://www.unhchr.ch/pdf/report.pdf. 10 Entry into force 4 July 1950; adopted by the General Conference of the International Labor Organisation
at its thirty-first session. Source: http ://www.unhchr.ch/html/menu3/b/j_ilo87.htm.
11 Source: https://www.ilo.org/ilolex/cgi-lex/ratifce.pl?C087.

VII. International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial
Discrimination 12

Article 5
1. In compliance with the fundamental obliga tions laid down in article 2 of this
Convention, States Parties undertake to prohibit and to eliminate racial
discrimination in all its forms and to guarantee the right of everyone, without
distinction as to race, colour, or national or ethnic origin, to equality before the
law, notably in the enjoyment of the following rights:
[…] (d) Other civil rights, in particular:
[…] (vii) The right to freedom of thought , conscience and religion;
(viii) The right to freedom of opinion and expression;
(ix) The right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association;
[…] Article 22
Any dispute between two or more States Pa rties with respect to the interpretation
or application of this Convention, whic h is not settled by negotiation or by the
procedures expressly provided for in this Convention, shall, at the request of any
of the parties to the dispute, be referred to the International Court of Justice for
decision, unless the disputants agree to another mode of settlement.

Arab states not ratifying : Djibouti, Palestine

Arab states ratifying (date) 13: Algeria (14 February 1972), Bahrain (27 March
1990), Comoros (27 September 2004), Eg ypt (1 May 1967), Iraq (14 January
1970), Jordan (30 May 1974), Kuwait ( 15 October 1968), Lebanon (12 November
1971), Libya (3 July 1968), Mauritania (13 December 1988), Morocco (18
December 1970), Oman (2 January 2003), Qa tar (22 July 1976), Saudi Arabia
(23 September 1997), Somalia (26 August 1975), Sudan (21 March 1977), Syria
(21 April 1969), Tunisia (13 January 1967), UAE (20 June 1974), Yemen (18
October 1972).

Applicable Reservations :
Bahrain: “With reference to article 22 of the Convent ion, the Government of the State of Bahrain
declares that, for the submission of any dispute in terms of this article to the jurisdiction of the
International Court of Justice, the express consent of all the parties to the dispute is required in
each case.”

Iraq: “…the Government of the Republic of Iraq doe s not consider itself bound by the provisions
of article twenty-two of the Convention afore-ment ioned and affirms its reservation that it does not
12 Entry into force 4 January 1969; adopted by the General Assembly in Resolution 21066 (XX) 2 of 21
December 1965. Source: https://www.o hchr.org/english/law/cerd.htm.
13 Source: https://www.ohchr.org/english/countries/ratification/2.htm.

accept the compulsory jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice provided for in the said
article.”

Kuwait: “…The Government of the State of Kuwait does not consider itself bound by the
provisions of article 22 of the Convention, under which any dispute between two or more States
Parties with respect to the interpretation or applic ation of the Convention is, at the request of any
party to the dispute, to be referred to the Internat ional Court of Justice for decision, and it states
that, in each individual case, the consent of all par ties to such a dispute is necessary for referring
the dispute to the International Court of Justice.”

Lebanon: “The Republic of Lebanon does not consider itself bound by the provisions of article 22
of the Convention, under which any dispute between two or more States Parties with respect to
the interpretation or application of the Convention is, at the request of any party to the dispute, to
be referred to the International Court of Justice for decision, and it states that, in each individual
case, the consent of all States parties to such a dispute is necessary for referring the dispute to
the International Court of Justice.”

Libyan Arab Jamahiriya: “(a) The Kingdom of Libya does not consider itself bound by the
provisions of article 22 of the Convention, under which any dispute between two or more States
Parties with respect to the interpretation or applic ation of the Convention is, at the request of any
of the parties to the dispute, to be referred to t he International Court of Justice for decision, and it
states that, in each individual case, the consent of all parties to such a dispute is necessary for
referring the dispute to the International Court of Justice.”

Morocco: “The Kingdom of Morocco does not consider it self bound by the provisions of article 22
of the Convention, under which any dispute between two or more States Parties with respect to
the interpretation or application of the Convention is , at the request of any of the parties to the
dispute, to be referred to the International Court of Justice for decision. The Kingdom of Morocco
states that, in each individual case, the consent of all parties to such a dispute is necessary for
referring the dispute to the In ternational Court of Justice.”

Saudi Arabia: “[The Government of Saudi Arabia declares that it will] implement the provisions
[of the above Convention], providing these do not conf lict with the precepts of the Islamic Shariah.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia shall not be bound by the provisions of article (22) of this
Convention, since it considers that any dispute should be referred to the International Court of
Justice only with the approval of t he States Parties to the dispute.”

Syrian Arab Republic: “… 2. The Syrian Arab Republic does not consider itself bound by the
provisions of article 22 of the Convention, under which any dispute between two or more States
Parties with respect to the interpretation or applic ation of the Convention is, at the request of any
of the Parties to the dispute, to be referred to t he International Court of Justice for decision. The
Syrian Arab Republic states that, in each individual case, the consent of all parties to such a
dispute is necessary for referring the disput e to the International Court of Justice.”

Yemen: “… The People’s Democratic Republic of Yemen does not consider itself bound by the
provisions of Article 22 of the Convention, under which any dispute between two or more States
Parties with respect to the interpretation or applic ation of the Convention is, at the request of any
of the parties to the dispute, to be referred to the International Court of Justice for decision, and
states that, in each individual case, the consent of all parties to such a dispute is necessary for
referral of the dispute to the International Court of Justice.”

VIII. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against
Women 14

Article 7
States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to eliminate discrimination against
women in the political and public life of the country and, in particular, shall ensure to
women, on equal terms with men, the right:
(e) To vote in all elections and public refe renda and to be eligible for election
to all publicly elected bodies;
(f) To participate in the formula tion of government policy and the
implementation thereof and to hold p ublic office and perform all public
functions at all levels of government;
(g) To participate in non-governmental organizations and associations
concerned with the public and political life of the country.
Article 29
1. Any dispute between two or more States Parties concerning the interpretation or
application of the present Convention which is not settled by negotiation shall, at
the request of one of them, be submitted to arbitration. If within six months from
the date of the request for arbitratio n the parties are unable to agree on the
organization of the arbitration, any one of those parties may refer the dispute to
the International Court of Justice by request in conformity with the Statute of the
Court.
2. Each State Party may at the time of si gnature or ratification of the present
Convention or accession thereto declare that it does not consider itself bound by
paragraph I of this article. The other States Parties shall not be bound by that
paragraph with respect to any State Pa rty which has made such a reservation.
3. Any State Party which has made a reserv ation in accordance with paragraph 2 of
this article may at any time withdraw that reservation by notification to the
Secretary-General of the United Nations.

Arab states not ratifying : Palestine, Qatar, Somalia, Sudan

Arab states ratifying (date) 15: Algeria (22 May 1996), Bahrain (18 June 2002),
Comoros (31 October 1994), Djibouti (2 December 1998), Egypt (18 September
1981), Iraq (13 August 1986), Jordan (1 Ju ly 1992), Kuwait (2 September 1994),
Lebanon (21 April 1997), Libya (16 Ma y 1989), Mauritania (10 May 2001),
Morocco (21 June 1993), Oman (7 Febr uary 2006), Saudi Arabia (7 September
2000), Syria (28 March 2003), Tunisia (20 September 1985), UAE (6 October
2004), Yemen (30 May 1984).

Applicable Reservations:
Algeria: “… The Government of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria does not consider
itself bound by article 29, paragraph 1, which stat es that any dispute between two or more Parties
14 Entry into force 3 September 1989; adopted by the General Assembly in Resolution 34/180 of 18
December 1979. Source: https://www.o hchr.org/english/law/cedaw.htm.
15 Source: https://www.un.org/wome nwatch/daw/cedaw/states.htm.

concerning the interpretation or application of the Convention which is not settled by negotiation
shall, at the request of one of them, be submitted to arbitration or to the International Court of
Justice. The Government of the People’s Democr atic Republic of Algeria holds that no such
dispute can be submitted to arbitration or to the Court of International Justice except with the
consent of all the parties to the dispute.”

Bahrain: “The Kingdom of Bahrain makes reservations with respect to the following provisions of
the Convention: Article 2, in order to ensure its implementation within the bounds of the
provisions of the Islamic Sharia h; […] Article 29, paragraph 1.”

Egypt: “… The Egyptian delegation also maintains the reservation contained in article 29,
paragraph 2, concerning the right of a State sign atory to the Convention to declare that it does
not consider itself bound by paragraph 1 of that article concerning the submission to an arbitral
body of any dispute which may arise between States concerning the interpretation or application
of the Convention. This is in order to avoid being bound by the system of arbitration in this field.”

Iraq: “… Iraq also enters a reservation to article 29, paragraph 1, of this Convention with regard to
the principle of international arbitration in connec tion with the interpretation or application of this
Convention.”

Kuwait: “… 4. The Government of Kuwait declares that it is not bound by the provision contained
in article 29, paragraph 1.”

Lebanon: “… In accordance with paragraph 2 of ar ticle 29, the Government of the Lebanese
Republic declares that it does not consider itself bound by the provisions of paragraph 1 of that
article.”

Mauritania: “…have approved and do approve it in each and every one of its parts which are not
contrary to Islamic Sharia and are in accordance with our Constitution.”

Morocco: “… With regard to article 29: The Govern ment of the Kingdom of Morocco does not
consider itself bound by the first paragraph of this article, which provides that `Any dispute
between two or more States Parties concerning t he interpretation or application of the present
Convention which is not settled by negotiation sha ll, at the request of one of them, be submitted
to arbitration. The Government of the Kingdom of Morocco is of the view that any dispute of this
kind can only be referred to arbitration by agr eement of all the parties to the dispute.”

Oman: “Reservations: 1. All provisions of the Convention not in accordance with the provisions of
the Islamic sharia and legislation in force in the Sultanate of Oman; […] 5. The Sultanate is not
bound by article 29, paragraph 1, regarding arbitration and the referral to the International Court
of Justice of any dispute between two or more States which is not settled by negotiation.”

Saudi Arabia: “1. In case of contradiction between any term of the Convention and the norms of
Islamic law, the Kingdom is not under obligati on to observe the contradictory terms of the
Convention. 2. The Kingdom does not consider it self bound by paragraph 2 of article 9 of the
Convention and paragraph 1 of article 29 of the Convention.”

Syria: “…subject to reservations to […] article 29, paragraph 1, concerning arbitration between
States in the event of a dispute.”

Tunisia: “The Tunisian Government declares, in confor mity with the requirements of article 29,
paragraph 2 of the Convention, that it shall not be bound by the provisions of paragraph 1 of that
article which specify that any dispute between two or more States Parties concerning the
interpretation or application of the present Conv ention which is not settled by negotiation shall be
referred to the International Court of Justice at the request of any one of those parties. The
Tunisian Government considers that such disputes should be submitted for arbitration or

consideration by the International Court of Justice only with the consent of all parties to the
dispute.”

UAE: “… Article 29(1)… the United Arab Emirates ma kes a reservation to this article and does not
consider itself bound by the provisions thereof.”

Yemen: “The Government of the People’s Democratic Republic of Yemen declares that it does
not consider itself bound by article 29, paragra ph 1, of the said Convention, relating to the
settlement of disputes which may arise concer ning the application or interpretation of the
Convention.”

IX. Convention on the Rights of the Child 16

Article 15
1. States Parties recognize the ri ghts of the child to freedom of association and to
freedom of peaceful assembly.
2. No restrictions may be placed on the exercise of these rights other than those
imposed in conformity with the law and which are necessary in a democratic
society in the interests of national secur ity or public safety, public order (ordre
public), the protection of pub lic health or morals or the protection of the rights
and freedoms of others.

Arab states not ratifying : Palestine.

Arab states ratifying (date) 17: Algeria (16 April 1993), Bahrain (13 February
1992), Comoros (22 June 1993), Djibouti (6 December 1990), Egypt (6 July
1990), Iraq (15 June 1994), Jordan (24 Ma y 1991), Kuwait (21 October 1991),
Lebanon (14 May 1991), Libya (15 April 1993), Mauritania (16 May 1991),
Morocco (21 June 1993), Oman (9 Decemb er 1996), Qatar (3 April 1995), Saudi
Arabia (26 January 1996), Somalia (signed but not ratified 9 May 2002), Sudan
(3 August 1990), Syria (15 July 1993) , Tunisia (30 January 1992), UAE (3
January 1997), Yemen (1 May 1991).

Applicable Reservations:
Djibouti: “…shall not consider itself bound by any provisions or articles that are incompatible with
its religion and its traditional values.”

Kuwait: “…reservations on all provisions of the Conven tion that are incompatible with the laws of
Islamic Shari’a and the local statutes in effect.”

Mauritania: “In signing this important Convention, t he Islamic Republic of Mauritania is making
reservations to articles or provisions which may be contrary to the beliefs and values of Islam, the
religion of the Mauritania People and State.”

Qatar: “…enter(s) a general reservation by the State of Qatar concerning provisions incompatible
with Islamic Law.”

16 Entry into force 2 September 1990; adopted by the General Assembly in Resolution 44/25 of 20
November 1989. Source: https://www.ohchr.org/english/law/crc.htm.
17 Source: https://www.ohchr.org/english/countries/ratification/11.htm.

Saudi Arabia: “…reservations with respec t to all such articles as are in conflict with the
provisions of Islamic law.”

Syria: “The Syrian Arab Republic has reservations on the Convention’s provisions which are not
in conformity with the Syrian Arab legislations and with the Islamic Shariah’s principles, in
particular the content of article (14) related to t he Right of the Child to the freedom of religion, and
articles 20 and 21 concerning the adoption.”

Tunisia: “1. The Government of the Republic of Tunisia declares that it shall not, in
implementation of this Convention, adopt any legisl ative or statutory decision that conflicts with
the Tunisian Constitution…”

X. African Charter on Hu man and Peoples’ Rights 18

Article 10
1. Every individual shall have the right to fr ee association provided that he abides by
the law.
2. Subject to the obligation of solidarity pr ovided for in article 29 no one may be
compelled to join an association.

Article 29
The individual shall also have the duty:
1. To preserve the harmonious development of the family and to work for the
cohesion and respect of the family; to respect his parents at all times, to maintain
them in case of need;
2. To serve his national community by placing his physical and intellectual abilities
at its service;
3. Not to compromise the security of the St ate whose national or resident he is;
4. To preserve and strengthen social and national solidarity, particularly when the
latter is threatened;
5. To preserve and strengthen the national independence and the territorial integrity
of his country and to contribute to its defence in accordance with the law;
6. To work to the best of his abilities an d competence, and to pay taxes imposed by
law in the interest of the society;
7. To preserve and strengthen positive African cultural valu es in his relations with
other members of the society, in the spirit of tolerance, dialogue and consultation
and, in general, to contribute to the prom otion of the moral well being of society;
8. To contribute to the best of his abilities , at all times and at all levels, to the
promotion and achievement of African unity.

Arab states not ratifying [Note: this treaty is open only to members of the
Organization of African Unity]: Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwa it, Lebanon, Morocco,
Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, UAE, Yemen.

Arab states ratifying (date) 19: Algeria (1 March 1987), Comoros (1 June 1986),
Djibouti (11 November 1991), Egypt ( 20 March 1984), Libya (19 July 1986),
18 Entry into force 21 October 1986; registered with the United Nations on 10 September 1981, No. 26363.
Source: https://www.achpr.org/eng lish/_info/charter_en.html.

Mauritania (14 June 1986), Somalia (31 July 1985), Sudan (18 February 1986),
Tunisia (16 March 1983).

Applicable Reservations:
[None]

XI. Arab Charter on Human Rights

Article 28
All citizens have the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association. No
restrictions shall be placed on the exercise of this right unless so required by the
exigencies of national security, public safety or the need to protect the rights and
freedoms of others.

Arab states not ratifying : Algeria, Bahrain, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan,
Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Moro cco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi
Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syri a, Tunisia, UAE, Yemen.

Arab states ratifying (date) : Jordan (unknown), Tunisia (unknown). [This treaty
will not take effect until it has been ratified by seven states].

Applicable Reservations:
[UNKNOWN]

19 Source:
https://www.achpr.org/english/ _doc_target/documentation.html?../ratifications/ratification_charter_en.pdf.