DocFokus: Whose Voice is Heard in Demonstrations?

This DocFokus discussion, organized in cooperation with Amnesty Finland, brings into focus how freedom of assembly and freedom of expression are realized in protests and demonstrations.

People have a right to protest peacefully. Protesters are exercising their right to freedom of expression and assembly, which are guaranteed by the international law and the Finnish Constitution. The police have an important role in securing demonstrations.

Are freedom of assembly and freedom of expression realized in demonstrations? Whose voice is heard, and whose freedom of speech is protected? How do the police act as the guarantor of freedom of assembly in practice?

The participants in the discussion are Jari Taponen, Safety and Effectiveness Expert who previously led the preventive work of the Helsinki Police, civil society activist Ditmar Hasanaj and Amnesty’s Policy Adviser Anu Tuukkanen. The discussion is led by Amnesty’s Press Officer Mikaela Remes.

The discussion is in English; questions from the floor are welcome also in Finnish. 

The public and free panel, open to all, will be held after the screening of the film The Dialogue Police at Kinopalatsi 5 on Thursday, February 5, from 6 PM to 7 PM. 

DocFokus discussions are public debates that delve into current topics. Two DocFokus discussions will be organised at DocPoint this year. In addition to this discussion, there is another DocFokus discussion on science, freedom of speech, and journalism organised in collaboration with the Union of Journalists in Finland held at Kino Regina on Wednesday, February 4.

The Dialogue Police

You can prepare for the themes of the panel discussion by watching the film The Dialogue Police before the event at Kinopalatsi 5 on February 5 at 4:30 PM.

Susanna Edwards’ engaging film follows a Swedish specialty, the dialogue police, on the front lines of democracy, working to ensure that everyone has the right to express their opinion

The film’s running time is 90 minutes, and the age rating is K7. Read more about the film and buy tickets for the screening here.

In a nutshell

What? DocFokus: Whose Voice is Heard in Demonstrations? panel discussion
Where? Kinopalatsi 5 (Kaisaniemenkatu 2)
When? Thursday 5 Feb at 18:00– 19:00

Tickets

The event is free of charge and open to all. DocFokus discussions do not require advance registration, and you can participate in the discussion even if you have not bought a ticket to the film screening held before the discussion. Seats are filled in order of arrival.

If you do wish to watch the film The Dialogue Police before the discussion, you need to purchase a ticket for the screening. You can purchase a screening ticket from the film presentation page. Tickets may also be purchased from our ticket sales points.

Accessibility

The accessible entrance to Kinopalatsi is at Mikonkatu 17 (Fennia Block). Hall 5 is located on floor K1. The floor is accessible by a small and large customer elevator. Read more detailed information about the accessibility of Kinopalatsi on Finnkino’s website.