ORDER OF THE PRESIDIUM OF THE SUPREME COUNCIL OF THE USSR
On the procedure for organizing and holding meetings, rallies, street processions and demonstrations in the USSR
July 28, 1988
The Constitution of the USSR, in accordance with the interests of the people and in order to strengthen and develop the socialist system, guarantees the citizens of the USSR freedom of assembly, rallies, street processions and demonstrations. The exercise of these political freedoms is ensured by the provision of public buildings, streets, squares and other places to workers and their organizations.
In order to regulate the procedure for organizing and holding meetings, rallies, street processions and demonstrations, the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR decides:
1. An application is made to the executive committee of the relevant local Council of People’s Deputies about holding a meeting, meeting, street procession or demonstration.
The authorized labor collectives of enterprises, institutions and organizations, bodies of cooperative and other public organizations, bodies of public initiative and certain groups of citizens who have reached the age of eighteen may apply to hold a meeting, rally, street procession or demonstration.
2. An application for holding a meeting, rally, street procession or demonstration is submitted in writing no later than ten days before the planned date of their holding. The application specifies the purpose, form, location of the event or routes of movement, the time of its start and end the estimated number of participants, surnames, names, patronymics of the authorized (organizers), their place of residence and work (study), the date of submission of the application.
3. The Executive Committee of the Council of People’s Deputies shall consider the application and inform the authorized (organizers) of the decision made no later than five days before the time of the event specified in the application. The Executive Committee has the right, if necessary, to propose to those who applied with the application a different time and place for the event. The decision can be appealed to a higher executive and administrative body in the manner prescribed by the current legislation. The Executive Committee of the Council of People’s Deputies provides the necessary conditions for holding a meeting, meeting, street procession or demonstration.
4. Assemblies, rallies, street processions and demonstrations are held in accordance with the objectives specified in the statement, as well as at a specific time and place. When holding meetings, rallies, street processions, demonstrations, the authorized (organizers), as well as other participants, must comply with Soviet laws and public order. Participants are prohibited from carrying weapons, as well as specially prepared or adapted items that could be used against the life and health of people, for causing material damage to state, public organizations and citizens.
5. State and public organizations, officials, as well as citizens do not have the right to interfere with meetings, rallies, street processions and demonstrations held in compliance with the established procedure,
6. The Executive Committee of the Council of People’s Deputies prohibits a meeting, meeting, street procession or demonstration if the purpose of their holding contradicts the Constitution of the USSR, the constitutions of union and autonomous republics, or threatens public order and the safety of citizens.
7. Assemblies, rallies, street processions, demonstrations must be stopped at the request of representatives of the authorities, if an application was not submitted, a decision was made to prohibit, as well as in violation of the procedure for their conduct, provided for in Article 4 of this Decree, the emergence of danger to life and health citizens, violation of public order.
8. Persons who have violated the established procedure for organizing and holding meetings, rallies, street marches and demonstrations shall be held liable in accordance with the legislation of the USSR and the Union republics. Material damage caused during meetings, rallies, street marches and demonstrations by their participants to the state, cooperative, other public organizations or citizens shall be subject to compensation in the manner prescribed by law.
9. Presidiums of the Supreme Soviets of union and autonomous republics, territorial, regional, district, district and city Soviets of People’s Deputies may additionally regulate the procedure for holding meetings, rallies, street marches and demonstrations, taking into account local conditions on the basis of the constitutions of the union and autonomous republics and in accordance with the requirements of this Decree.
10. The procedure for organizing and holding meetings and rallies established by this Decree does not apply to meetings and rallies of labor collectives and public organizations held in accordance with legislation, their charters and regulations.
Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR A. GROMYKO.
Secretary of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR T. MENTESHVILI.
Moscow Kremlin. Jul 28, 1988
Vedomosti of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, v. 31, Moscow 1988, art. 504.