1) Everyone should have the freedom to choose the content or cause of their protest. States should ensure, in particular, that:
a) Any restrictions are in line with the test set out in Principle 4 and subject to strong procedural safeguards;
b) Restrictions are never imposed on the right to protest simply on the basis of the authorities’ own view of the merits of a particular protest;
c) Criticism of government, state officials or public bodies and institutions is never, of itself, sufficient ground for imposing restrictions on the right to protest;
d) The right to protest includes conduct or expression that may annoy or give offence to people who are opposed to the ideas or claims that a protest is seeking to promote, or conduct that temporarily hinders, impedes, or obstructs the activities of third parties.
2) In respect of restrictions based on the prohibition against incitement, as set out in Principle 4 paragraph 3, states should ensure that:
a) Protests that are not seen to constitute incitement include, but are not limited to, those that:
i) Advocate non-violent change of government policy or the government itself;
ii) Constitute criticism of, or insult to, the nation, the state or its symbols, the government, its agencies or public officials, or a foreign nation, state or its symbols, government, agencies or public officials or ideas;
iii) Constitute criticism of religions or religious doctrines, express dissenting religious beliefs, or express ideas perceived as offensive;
iv) Merely display insignia, uniforms, emblems, music, flags or signs that are historically associated with discrimination against certain groups, unless they are intended and likely to incite imminent violence.
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