The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, today urged the British government to repeal legislation passed yesterday aimed at curbing protests by granting police in England and Wales greater powers to prevent serious disturbances. Turk stated that the legislation "raises many problems" and imposes "unnecessary or disproportionate" restrictions on freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.
He also indicated that the law contradicts Britain's international commitments related to human rights. Turk expressed concern that the law appears to target specific peaceful actions carried out by protesters advocating for human rights and environmental issues. He added, "As the world faces the three planetary crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution, governments must protect peaceful protests related to these existential issues rather than hinder or prevent them."
The Conservative government argues that the new powers are necessary to prevent a small minority, primarily organizing protests related to environmental issues, from causing disruption to the general public's life. The Public Order Law, which completed its passage in the British Parliament yesterday, has sparked significant criticism from civil rights groups that believe it grants police excessive powers.
The bill restricts the freedoms of certain protesters to prevent them from causing damage to infrastructure, including airports and railways, and introduces a new criminal offense for certain practices.
