Naomi McAuliffe

The human rights groups say it is more important than ever that everyone – from seasoned activists to members of the public – know their legal rights and are empowered to claim them.

The guide will set out how protest is protected by human rights law and that public authorities, including the police, have a duty to facilitate it. It will also advise on where and how to find legal advice for those seeking it.

Naomi McAuliffe, Scotland programme director at Amnesty International UK, said: “We’re really pleased to be working with JustRight Scotland to make this advice available. Protecting the right to protest will be a flagship campaign of Amnesty’s internationally over the coming year as we see continued crackdowns by authorities on protest across the world.

“This is also a turbulent but important time for human rights in the UK as we see a raft of legislation at Westminster directly aimed at restricting and rolling back right protections - including the right to peaceful protest.

“It’s important to emphasise that Scotland has different law around protest and to ensure that people know and claim their rights. Peaceful protest is fundamental to a functioning democracy and we encourage people in Scotland and internationally to use their voices to hold government and public bodies to account.”

Jen Ang, director of JRS Knowhow, added: “We believe that when people know their rights – and feel confident in exercising them when it counts – it makes our society, and democracy, stronger. Scotland has a proud history of using protest to protect rights and to make positive changes in society – including movements that have led to granting women the right to vote, ensuring fair pay and safe workplaces for employees, and creating greater equality for all.

“The right to protest in Scotland is different in crucial ways to the right to protest elsewhere in the UK, and so we are delighted to have worked with Amnesty Scotland and our social enterprise, JRS Knowhow, to design this resource for activists, protesters, and the public – with the aim of making this information more widely available, and accessible.”