Versammlungsgesetz

Versammlungsgesetz, literally Assembly Act, is the name used for laws in German-speaking countries that regulate public demonstrations and other gatherings. In Germany, the term refers to the set of provisions that implement the right to freedom of assembly under the Basic Law (the Grundgesetz), especially Article 8, which guarantees peaceful, unarmed assemblies. The Versammlungsgesetz provides the procedural framework for organizing public events and the limits within which authorities may operate.

Typical content of these laws includes rules on notifying authorities about an assembly, the time, place, and route, and requirements to ensure safety and public order. They also define the responsibilities of organizers, participants, and public officials, and establish the powers of police to monitor, constrain, or intervene in assemblies when necessary to protect life, property, and the rights of others. Under the laws, authorities can issue conditions, impose restrictions, or, in exceptional cases, temporarily ban or disperse a gathering to prevent violence or serious disruption.

The exact form and scope of a Versammlungsgesetz can vary by country and by German state. In Germany, different states (Länder) maintain their own versions that align with federal constitutional principles; in Austria, a parallel law system regulates public assemblies as well. Despite differences, the core aim across jurisdictions is to balance the right to assemble with public safety, traffic management, and the protection of other rights.

See also: Freedom of assembly, Basic Law, public order laws.