Thread by @AdamWagner1

Crucial intervention by the @HumanRightsCtte on the right to protest, human rights and the lockdown. New report just published

Basically, says that the legal position in relation to protest is too unclear and must amended urgently.

committees.parliament.uk/publications/5…

(short thread)

https://twitter.com/HumanRightsCtte/status/1372865838286573594

(I should point out that although I am specialist advisor to this inquiry I had no part in this report - as it happens my year long post ends today)

The Committee makes the important point that the regulations are very unclear as to how powers of enforcement can be used against protest (this point was not addressed in the Dolan case but does raise the possibility the regulations are not compatible with Article 11)

I would go further than "very clear risk"

"Somewhat concerning" indeed!

This is a really important point:

"the precise lines between legal and illegal protest remain obscure."

Unacceptable in a democracy and also under Articles 10 and 11 which require the law to be sufficiently clear so people know what is and isn't permitted

Government communication around protest has been inconsistent and unclear

"nine out of ten officers felt the regulations were not clear"

This gets to the heart of the issue - many people have been dissuaded from protesting during the pandemic due to unclear law and communications around it.

Crucial point from @SeethingMead

We should not have to rely on going to court to have our rights upheld. The protection of rights should be equal for all, not simply... to those political campaigners who are legally trained, or who have access to such advice"

Important points about the policing of the @ReclaimTS vigil

The @HumanRightsCtte recommend that the government make clear that all protest is not prohibited and re-introduce the protest exception to the rules (notwithstanding that it is not itself well drafted or wide enough)

I agree with all of that