Human Rights Watch (HRW) on Thursday warned that the UK has “severely restricted the right to protest” in recent years, expanding measures against peaceful demonstrators. The warning comes amid growing concerns over government efforts to control public gatherings and clamp down on activism.
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The rights group published a report titled “Silencing the Streets: The Right to Protest Under Attack in the UK”, noting that protesters have increasingly faced detention, charges, and multi-year jail sentences for non-violent actions. HRW researcher Lydia Gall said the UK is adopting protest-control tactics typically seen in countries with collapsing democratic safeguards.
Right to protest ‘crisis’ in UK after Governments rolled back protections, report warns https://t.co/hFABxbXQ8L
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The report comes weeks after Swedish activist Greta Thunberg was arrested and released at a London protest supporting the Palestine Action group, which has been banned under UK anti-terror laws. HRW criticized Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Labour government for failing to overturn legislation introduced by the previous Conservative government in 2023, which penalizes disruptive tactics such as slow walking on roads or attaching oneself to objects.
Yasmine Ahmed, UK director of HRW, said the government’s approach appears to be motivated by a desire to appear tough on law and order. She expressed concern that the “supercharged” protest laws could set a dangerous precedent, potentially targeting any group the government disagrees with in the future.
A crime and policing bill currently under consideration in Parliament would expand police powers to restrict protests further, including banning demonstrators from wearing face coverings. HRW has urged the government to repeal certain restrictions and reverse the ban on Palestine Action, highlighting the chilling effect on free assembly.
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Since being proscribed in July, at least 2,300 people have been arrested for showing support for Palestine Action, according to protest organizers. The report emphasizes the importance of safeguarding the right to peaceful protest as a cornerstone of democratic society.