Article 20 (1) of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that everyone has the right to the freedom of peaceful assembly and association. Freedom of association is the only way in which people collectively can express aims, exercise pressure as a group and protect the interest of the individual.

The laws of a democratic society should provide the framework within which rights and freedoms can thus be exercised.

It is the duty of the courts and the legitimate concern of everyone to ensure that limitation placed by the law upon the exercise of these rights and freedoms are used solely for a valid and recognised purpose and do not exceed the purpose for which they are intended.