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The preamble to the Constitution of the 28th November 1986 proclaims its
attachment to the freedom of Association in the following terms: « the right to
assemble in public can be freely exercised in conformity with the relevant laws
and regulations ».
Concerning the Constitution of the 14th January 1995, Article 12 stipulates: « All
citizens have the right to form Associations, Groups, Societies and public utility
institutions subject to respect for existing laws and regulations ».
The 27th December 2004 Constitution stipulates in its Article 12 « All citizens
have the right to form Associations, Groups, Societies and public utility
institutions subject to respect for existing laws and regulations ».
Law n°61/233 of the 27th May 1961 governing Associations and Law no 02.004 of
the 21st May 2002 governing NGOs, specifically guarantees the freedom of Association
in the Central African Republic.
The Ministry of the Interior is however legally empowered to impose rectrictions
on the freedom of Association if these registered Associations turn away from fixed
obejctives.
´ 9/ The Freedom of Assembly: Article 11 of the Charter
The rights to the freedom of Assembly as stated by Article 11 of the Charter are
protected by the Central African Republic in various manners in all its Constitutions.
The Constitution of the 5th February 1981 in its Article 5 stipulates: « the
freedom of conscience, of assembly… is guaranteed to all subject to the
conditions established by the law ».
With regard to the Constitution of the 28th November 1986, this freedom had
been proclaimed in the preamble of the said Constitution in the following terms: « the
right … to assemble in public, can be freely exercised in conformity with existing
relevant laws and regulations»
In the same manner the 14th January 1995 Constitution, in its Article 8 stipulates
that: « the freedom of conscience, of assembly… is guaranteed to all subject to
the conditions established by law ».
The Constitution of the 27th December 2004 stipulates in its Article 8 that « the
freedom of conscience, of assembly and the free exercise of cults are guaranteed
to all, subject to the conditions established by law ».
However, the Mayor, the Commissioner, the Deputy Commissioner and in the last
instance the Minister of the Interior and of Public Security can prohibit all meetings or
demonstrations where these are likely to disturb public order.
´ 10/ The freedom of Movement : Article 12 of the Charter
The freedom of movement is regulated and protected by all the Constitutions of
Central Africa from 1959 to 2004.