Recalling the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa, the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child and the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, Recalling further the jurisprudence of the Commission pertaining to the rights to freedom of association and assembly; Recalling further the Guidelines for the Policing of Assemblies by Law Enforcement Officials in Africa; Noting that the rights to freedom of association and assembly are fundamental and protected at the national, regional and international levels; Acknowledging the major differences between states in terms of legal systems, socio-economic conditions, and political and historic influences on the legal regimes governing association and assembly; Having regard to various political, technological and security developments impacting on the enjoyment of the rights; Concerned by excessive restrictions imposed on the rights to freedom of association and assembly; Concerned also by the practice in some states of hampering the participation of civil society in the work of regional and international bodies and by the ‘chilling effect’ of reprisals on civil society actors, and stressing the obligation on states to provide full protection to those who seek to participate in the work of international bodies; Concerned further that restrictions on the rights to freedom of association and assembly limit the potential for a free public sphere and a free and open democratic society, and that restrictions on an independent civil society hinder the operations of human rights defenders and the advancement of human rights; Conscious of the need to provide guidance to states on the measures necessary in order to ensure respect for and the protection and fulfillment of human rights; The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights solemnly adopts these Guidelines on Freedom of Association and Assembly in Africa. Guidelines on Freedom of Association and Assembly in Africa  | 7