the declaration stated that "individual freedom is a natural right" and that all citizens are equal. it guaranteed a set of freedoms including the "right to protect the private life of citizens"(article 8), "freedom of belief and the freedom of practising religious rights" (article 12), "freedom of expression" (article 12), freedom of the press and other publications (article 13), freedom of peaceful and unarmed private assembly, without the need for prior notice (article 16), universal suffrage, and the right to form civil societies (article 4).