Mapping the International Law of Peaceful Protest

The regulation of peaceful protest in international law remains a largely uncharted territory. Despite the pivotal role protests retain in societal conflicts and the implementation of international rights, the absence of explicit recognition and thorough examination in international treaties and legal scholarship presents a significant gap. This Special Issue on ‘Protest and International Law’ endeavours to bridge this gap, offering a synthesis of the emerging legal framework and jurisprudence that protect and regulate peaceful protest. By way of introduction, this article addresses the protection deficits for peaceful protests and highlights three emerging trends in this field of law. First, protests are increasingly seen as a legitimate form of participating in public affairs. Second, there is an emerging understanding that protests should receive a comprehensive protection in international law. Third, protests will produce outcomes that are eligible for international recognition. These interpretative trends could guide the integration of peaceful protests into international law in the years to come.