Silencing Dissent
The UK Government's Authoritarian Crackdown on Protest
In recent years, the UK government has embarked on a disturbing path, systematically dismantling the right to protest, and in doing so, trampled on civil liberties. Despite the legal protection of peaceful demonstrations under the European Convention of Human Rights, the government has implemented restrictive measures that infringe upon the fundamental right to protest. These actions raise concerns about the state of democracy and the preservation of civil freedoms in the UK.
One of the most controversial pieces of legislation, used to this end, is the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022, introduced by the Conservative government. This act grants the police unprecedented powers to impose conditions on protests and demonstrations. Police officers can now dictate start and finish times, limit locations, and enforce maximum noise levels, effectively suppressing the ability of protesters to convey their message effectively.
Furthermore, the act enables government ministers to create regulations without parliamentary approval, altering the definitions of “serious disruption to the life of the community” and “serious disruption to the activities of an organization.” This executive power undermines democratic checks and balances, allowing the government to redefine and expand the scope of what constitutes “serious disruption” at will, and not only that – but I would wager that this change was made intentionally so that successive governments would find an easier path when seeking to curtail the freedoms of protesters.
Previously, static demonstrations enjoyed more lenient regulations compared to protest marches. However, under the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act, static demonstrations are now subjected to the same stringent conditions as protest marches. This includes location restrictions, limiting the duration of the protest, and restricting the number of participants. These conditions effectively hamper the ability of peaceful demonstrators to assemble and express their grievances, which, whilst no longer a surprise to me, will likely come as a surprise to many that don’t read or watch the news often.
The Act introduces a broad offence of “intentionally or recklessly causing public nuisance,” replacing the common law offence of public nuisance. This new definition extends the scope of what can be considered a criminal offence, potentially criminalizing actions that cause serious annoyance, inconvenience, or disturbance. By giving the police significant discretion in interpreting this offence, the Act creates a chilling effect on protest activities, making it difficult for individuals to exercise their right to protest without fear of arrest and punishment.
Another concerning development is the expansion of stop and search powers, particularly in London during recent protests. Civil liberties campaigners have criticized the police for misusing these powers to deliberately target demonstrators. The Public Order Bill further extends the grounds for justifying a search, allowing police to search individuals without suspicion if they are close to a protest deemed to be causing “annoyance.” This overreach of police authority undermines the principle of freedom of assembly and gives rise to concerns about the suppression of dissenting voices.
These restrictive measures imposed by the UK government severely hamper the exercise of democratic rights and freedoms. By stifling protests and limiting the ability of individuals to express their grievances, the government is undermining the foundations of a free and democratic society. The erosion of civil liberties and the concentration of power in the hands of government ministers raise alarm bells about the future of democracy in the UK. Since this assault on protest, hundreds of protesters have been arrested and held using the glaringly overreaching Bill. Opposition to the monarchy from Republicans was ruthlessly put down, those protesting against the lack of action on the climate crisis, and those protesting and striking for better pay and working conditions, have also been unfairly targeted by these new powers.
To me there is no longer a concern that this power ‘could’ be abused, the evidence of that abuse is everywhere before us – A simple search of protests since the bill became law can provide the evidence for you. The UK government's increasing restrictions on protests represent a worrying trend towards the erosion of civil liberties and the stifling of dissenting voices. The Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 and the Public Order Bill grant excessive powers to the police, limit the right to peaceful assembly, and curtail freedom of expression. These actions not only undermine the democratic principles upon which the UK is founded, but also create a chilling effect on protest activities. It is crucial for civil society and advocates of freedom to challenge these measures and safeguard the right to protest, ensuring that the voices of the people are not silenced in the face of governmental overreach.