British Authorities Criticized for Restricting Right to Protest, Human Rights Watch Report Says

In a recent report, Human Rights Watch has condemned British authorities for severely limiting the right to protest, in violation of their international human rights obligations. The report titled ‘Silencing the Streets’: The Right to Protest Under Attack in the UK‘ highlights how the UK government, under the Labour party, has failed to reverse anti-protest laws introduced by the previous Conservative government.

The Labour government has not only failed to repeal these restrictive laws but has also attempted to expand them through the Crime and Policing Bill 2025. Additionally, there have been instances of the misuse of terrorism legislation to target and criminalize peaceful protests. The Crime and Policing Bill is currently pending before parliament and is set to be debated in the House of Lords in January 2026.

Concerns Raised

Senior Europe and Central Asia researcher at Human Rights Watch, Lydia Gall, expressed deep concerns over the direction the UK government is taking in regards to protest rights. Gall stated, “The UK is now adopting protest-control tactics imposed in countries where democratic safeguards are collapsing. The UK should oppose such measures, not replicate and endorse them.”

The report highlights that recent protest restrictions in the UK stem from vague statutory provisions and broad police discretion, allowing authorities to curtail demonstrations with limited oversight. The Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 (PCSCA 2022) and the Public Order Act 2023 (POA 2023) give the police greater powers to impose conditions on protesters, make pre-emptive arrests, and seek prison sentences for nonviolent protest activities.

Case Study: Trudi Warner

The report also delves into specific cases, such as that of Trudi Warner, a retired social worker who was arrested and charged with contempt of court for peacefully holding a sign outside a courthouse. Her sign was intended to inform jurors of their rights, without attempting to influence their decisions. The High Court dismissed the case as baseless, yet the Labour government initially pursued an appeal before eventually dropping the case.

Overall, the report paints a grim picture of the state of protest rights in the UK, with peaceful dissent being increasingly treated as a criminal act. The lack of government accountability for policing actions and the broad discretion given to authorities have created a chilling effect on freedom of expression and assembly.

It is imperative for the UK government to reconsider its approach to protest rights and ensure that international human rights standards are upheld, fostering a climate where peaceful protest is respected and protected.