In this module, which consists of two parts, we will discuss how to record and report on monitoring findings, and how to engage in advocacy efforts after an assembly monitoring activity. In particular, we will focus on how to record your monitoring findings and structure your observations while drafting an assembly monitoring report. We will also discuss how to use these findings in your advocacy efforts to strengthen the right to freedom of peaceful assembly.
In Module 8, you will:
- Understand how to record and structure your monitoring findings in an assembly monitoring form
- Acknowledge the importance of drafting the monitoring form in a collaborative way
- Understand how to structure an assembly monitoring report and make it readable and accessible
- Understand how to use your assembly monitoring findings in your advocacy efforts to strengthen the right to freedom of peaceful assembly
- Recall some of the key aspects to keep in mind while engaging in advocacy, namely defining an advocacy strategy, identifying target groups, and choosing relevant advocacy means and methods
Meet the trainer:
Meet the experts:
Recording and reporting on your monitoring findings
Main takeaways:
- Following an assembly monitoring exercise, it is important for monitors to record their monitoring findings by compiling them in an assembly monitoring form. In this form, monitors should objectively describe their observations without further interpreting them.
- Monitors can structure their observations in different ways, depending on the objectives of the monitoring project.
- The monitoring form should be drafted with the whole team, to ensure all essential aspects observed are recorded. It is essential for monitors to prepare the monitoring form and send it to the monitoring co-ordinator as soon as possible after the assembly, to make sure the description of events is accurate.
- The monitoring co-ordinator should compile and analyse the information gathered in the monitoring forms to produce an assembly monitoring report, which can be used for internal purposes or as part of an advocacy strategy.
- Whenever possible, observations should be complemented by information gathered at meetings with authorities, assembly organizers and participants, civil society and any other relevant actors. To support the monitoring findings, it can be beneficial to refer to trustworthy and reliable secondary sources, including media and civil society reports.
- The monitoring report should be readable and accessible. It should include an executive summary, the monitoring methodology, relevant international and domestic legal and policy framework, a main body describing and analysing the monitoring findings, as well as clear, concise, and actionable recommendations addressed to specific actors.
Engaging in advocacy efforts
Main takeaways:
- The findings and recommendations contained in the assembly monitoring report can be used in advocacy efforts to strengthen the right to freedom of peaceful assembly, might serve as a basis for constructive dialogue with the authorities, and might be used to raise awareness about the extent of respect for human rights and expose abuses.
- It is important for monitors to define their advocacy strategy, depending on the objectives of the monitoring project. This is a dynamic process that might require adjustments and an ongoing evaluation during and after the monitoring activity.
- Monitors need to identify the target group of their advocacy strategy, which might include national and local authorities, national human rights institutions, political parties, and civil society organizations. Engaging in a stakeholder mapping exercise can help to do so and allows monitors to identify their potential allies and opponents.
- Monitors should also think about the targeted means and methods they want to use to reach their advocacy goals. These might include awareness raising campaigns, demonstrations, position papers, expert meetings, petitions, strategic litigation and capacity-building activities.
- Disseminating the monitoring findings to the general public or specific target audiences through various channels can amplify the impact of monitoring efforts. Monitors can also decide to disseminate their monitoring findings with the international community, in case this can help them achieve their monitoring objectives. Advocacy strategies might be co-ordinated with other human rights organizations.
Before moving on to the quiz, we recommend you to review the main takeaways of this module, and to check the additional resources provided under the “Materials” tab above.
Recommended resources:
● OSCE/ODIHR Handbook on Monitoring Freedom of Peaceful Assembly, Second Edition, “IV.5. Reporting by the monitors”, “V. Analysis and using the monitoring findings”.
● Monitoring form template, from OSCE/ODIHR Handbook on Monitoring Freedom of Peaceful Assembly.
● OSCE/ODIHR and Council of Europe Venice Commission, Guidelines on Freedom of Peaceful Assembly, Second Edition. Section B, Explanatory Notes: “8. Monitoring Freedom of Peaceful Assembly”.
● OSCE/ODIHR Human Rights Monitoring Training, available on FreedomLab