Freedom of assembly. Evolution and current status of the issue in the United States, Germany, Russia

The author examines the development and the current status of freedom of assemblies in the USA, Germany and Russian Federation, makes an analysis and comparison. The right to assemble peacefully and without weapons is one of basic political rights, which is constituted in foundational international documents. The legislation connected with realisation of political rights and freedoms is also the result of political, institutional and legal development of each separately taken state. The USA during its history showed the most progressive development to the rule-of-law state, without dictatorships and revolutions as it was in Germany and Russia. Nevertheless, the American legislation on meetings is sharply criticised at expert and internal political level. The author understood the reasons of such criticism. The legal regulation of holding meetings in Germany bears characteristics of long evolution since the first all-German Constitution. The legislation considers the experience of "dark" pages of German history in the 20 century; it seems to be permissive in relation to citizens, but contains measures for illegal actions prevention. Russian legislator provided a wide list of rights and duties for participants of meetings and demonstrations which underwent essential changes in June, 2012. All this was estimated in the article.