Peaceful protestors face ‘hostile environment’

Ministers have been accused of creating a "hostile environment" for peaceful protest following the Government's latest attempt to crack down on disruptive demonstrations.

The Joint Committee on Human Rights said new policing powers in the draft Public Order Bill would have a "chillingeffect"onpeopleinEngland and Wales seeking to exercise their democratic rights.

It called for key measures in the legislation to be watered down or scrapped altogether, warning they threaten fundamental freedoms guaranteed intheEuropeanConventionon Human Rights.

The bill was drawn up in response to what ministers say istheunacceptabledisruption caused by groups such as ExtinctionRebellionandInsulate Britain.

Butthecommitteesaidthey go too far and "risk creating a hostileenvironmentforpeaceful protesters".

Acting committee chair JoannaCherrysaid:"Theright to peaceful protest is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy, itshouldbeprotected.Thelaw must strike a careful balance between the right to protest and the prevention of disruption to the wider population.

"This requires a nuanced approach, yet in reaction to what it perceives as overly disruptive protests the Government has decided to take a blunderbuss to the problem."

Theproposedmeasuresinclude a new offence of "locking on" for protesters who attach themselves to something so they cannot be removed, with a maximum sentence of up to 51 weeks in prison.

The committee said measures relating to the obstruction of major transport works covered actions that were not intended to cause significant disruption.