“A big step towards authoritarianism” @GeorgeMonbiot
The govt are excluding debate on new anti-protest laws
The entire Lords committee stage debate on new clauses was crammed into one late night
The Commons have been excluded & the Lords marginalised
The govt are excluding debate on new anti-protest laws
The entire Lords committee stage debate on new clauses was crammed into one late night
The Commons have been excluded & the Lords marginalised
https://twitter.com/GeorgeMonbiot/status/1463798605198901248
“This is proper police state stuff”
Priti Patel shoved 18 extra pages into the #PolicingBill after it had passed through the Commons & the Lords in a ploy to avoid effective parliamentary scrutiny
@GeorgeMonbiot decries the lack of media & public outcry. theguardian.com/commentisfree/…
Priti Patel shoved 18 extra pages into the #PolicingBill after it had passed through the Commons & the Lords in a ploy to avoid effective parliamentary scrutiny
@GeorgeMonbiot decries the lack of media & public outcry. theguardian.com/commentisfree/…
The deeply-authoritarian #PolicingBill hands police vast new powers to fine, remove or arrest ordinary people who simply wish to peacefully protest
@Femi_Sorry explains👇
@pritipatel’s new amendments contain new powers to ban named people from protesting
@Femi_Sorry explains👇
@pritipatel’s new amendments contain new powers to ban named people from protesting
Power is drifting away from parliament
Bills are drafted in outline, with the important detail left to secondary legislation
Henry VIII powers let ministers repeal or amend acts
Whitehall using guidance & protocols as a form of “disguised legislation”
ft.com/content/36091d…
Bills are drafted in outline, with the important detail left to secondary legislation
Henry VIII powers let ministers repeal or amend acts
Whitehall using guidance & protocols as a form of “disguised legislation”
ft.com/content/36091d…
Last week, the govt slipped a series of terrifying amendments into the #PolicingBill
The already amounted to the most oppressive legislation by a UK govt since the end of the WWII
The new amendments put us well along path to dictatorship. @GeorgeMonbiot theguardian.com/commentisfree/…
The already amounted to the most oppressive legislation by a UK govt since the end of the WWII
The new amendments put us well along path to dictatorship. @GeorgeMonbiot theguardian.com/commentisfree/…
Today the House Of Lords is looking at the #PolicingBill's attack on Gypsies and Travellers.
This Bill is a threat to their way of life & must be stopped. (video via @libertyhq) #PoliceBill #ThisIsNotADrill #BorisJohnson #PritiPatel @GeorgeMonbiot
This Bill is a threat to their way of life & must be stopped. (video via @libertyhq) #PoliceBill #ThisIsNotADrill #BorisJohnson #PritiPatel @GeorgeMonbiot
Why should there be the need for a Green MEP to urge the @UKLabour to urge Labour Lords to vote down the draconian #PolicingBill tonight?
If any urging is really needed, surely it should be done by @Keir_Starmer, his Cabinet, @labourwhips & all Labour MPs
If any urging is really needed, surely it should be done by @Keir_Starmer, his Cabinet, @labourwhips & all Labour MPs
https://twitter.com/GreenJennyJones/status/1470457943606845445
Today, @DominicRaab is outlining his plan to overhaul the Human Rights Act
This is just another dimension of the blatant, unashamed power grab from a govt that wants to put themselves above the law
This THREAD👇explains why the #HumanRightsAct matters.
This is just another dimension of the blatant, unashamed power grab from a govt that wants to put themselves above the law
This THREAD👇explains why the #HumanRightsAct matters.
https://twitter.com/StefSimanowitz/status/1450377990299394050
Last year Tony Blair’s ex-Chief of staff, Jonathan Powell – someone who knows all about political skulduggery – wrote:
“This looks like the beginning of a rolling coup. It starts with the civil service then moves on to the judiciary & the media”
A very British, right-wing coup!
“This looks like the beginning of a rolling coup. It starts with the civil service then moves on to the judiciary & the media”
A very British, right-wing coup!
https://twitter.com/GeorgeMonbiot/status/1470642556589551618
In the 1940s In the aftermath of WWII, Churchill helped draft a ‘European Convention on Human Right’ to promote democracy &?the rule of law
The Human Rights Act incorporated the ECHR into UK law
Here @SirPatStew explains what the Act has ever done for us
The Human Rights Act incorporated the ECHR into UK law
Here @SirPatStew explains what the Act has ever done for us
Human rights are not sweets in a sweet shop for Ministers to pick & choose from
It took ordinary people a very long time to win these rights - we must not let politicians take them away with the stroke of a pen
@AmnestyUK/@amnesty respond to @DominicRaab
amnesty.org.uk/press-releases…
It took ordinary people a very long time to win these rights - we must not let politicians take them away with the stroke of a pen
@AmnestyUK/@amnesty respond to @DominicRaab
amnesty.org.uk/press-releases…
“The #NationalityandBordersBill reinstates insidious normative expectations that Black & brown people must watch what they say, how we behave. We must be compliant as the State may decide our country is no longer our country” @KGuilaine in @WritersofColour mediadiversified.org/2021/12/13/the…
Top immigration lawyers examined the #AntiRefugeeBill for @FreefromTorture
They found that it breached intn’l human rights in 10 ways & concluded that it is “the biggest legal assault on intn’l refugee law ever seen in the UK.” #NationalityandBordersBill
They found that it breached intn’l human rights in 10 ways & concluded that it is “the biggest legal assault on intn’l refugee law ever seen in the UK.” #NationalityandBordersBill
https://twitter.com/StefSimanowitz/status/1449817953139036164
And so by malice, stealth & brutishness a pattern is set
Less & less transparency
Less & less scrutiny
Less & less accountability
Until they’re entirely unleashed to bundle aside the truth & speak only their truths
It may look bleak, & it is, but...
Less & less transparency
Less & less scrutiny
Less & less accountability
Until they’re entirely unleashed to bundle aside the truth & speak only their truths
It may look bleak, & it is, but...
https://twitter.com/StefSimanowitz/status/1125022414860095490
That favourite hypotheical: "What would I have done in 1930's Germany, to fight the rise of fascism?", is no longer a hypothetical
So, what will you do?
If you are free tomorrow, come to Downing St, 1.30pm👇#NationalityAndBordersBill #PoliceBill #ThisIsNotADrill #BorisJohnson
So, what will you do?
If you are free tomorrow, come to Downing St, 1.30pm👇#NationalityAndBordersBill #PoliceBill #ThisIsNotADrill #BorisJohnson
https://twitter.com/StefSimanowitz/status/1472159032626536448
The head of @AmnestyUK writes that when he took the job earlier this year he’d assumed his work would be heavily focused on int’l crises
Instead, much of his time has been spent on fighting the systematic dismantling of human rights protections in the UK.
google.co.uk/amp/s/www.inde…
Instead, much of his time has been spent on fighting the systematic dismantling of human rights protections in the UK.
google.co.uk/amp/s/www.inde…
By contrast, I moved position in @amnesty 5 years ago from working on countries all around the world to focusing on Europe, because I was worried about the dangerous & systematic rise of the far-right
Toxic far-right narratives have been increasingly mainstreamed across Europe.
Toxic far-right narratives have been increasingly mainstreamed across Europe.
https://twitter.com/StefSimanowitz/status/1442547231995752450
There's a passage in an Ernest Hemingway's novel in which a character is asked how he went bankrupt.
“Two ways,” he answers. “Gradually, then suddenly.”
It’s the same with how our democratic rights are taken from us. @PeterKGeoghegan in @openDemocracyUK
opendemocracy.net/en/opendemocra…
“Two ways,” he answers. “Gradually, then suddenly.”
It’s the same with how our democratic rights are taken from us. @PeterKGeoghegan in @openDemocracyUK
opendemocracy.net/en/opendemocra…
“Open confession of dictatorship is far less dangerous than sham democracy. One can defend oneself against the former; the latter is like a creeper attached to the body of a drowning man.”
WILHELM REICH
The 1933 Reichstag fire shows how quickly fascism can hijack a modern nation
WILHELM REICH
The 1933 Reichstag fire shows how quickly fascism can hijack a modern nation
https://twitter.com/StefSimanowitz/status/1389081005546479617
When the Nazis came to power in 1933, the German constitution guaranteed free speech & freedom of the press
By 1934, it was illegal to criticise the govt, even in jest
The small window where it was possible to act, was suddenly & irrevocably slammed shut newyorker.com/books/page-tur…
By 1934, it was illegal to criticise the govt, even in jest
The small window where it was possible to act, was suddenly & irrevocably slammed shut newyorker.com/books/page-tur…
We know that fascism is possible because it happened before
In countries that have experienced fascism, people tend to be more alert to its growth
But the danger is that, because today’s fascists arrive in suits rather than jackboots, we won’t recognise them until it’s too late
In countries that have experienced fascism, people tend to be more alert to its growth
But the danger is that, because today’s fascists arrive in suits rather than jackboots, we won’t recognise them until it’s too late
https://twitter.com/StefSimanowitz/status/1442770975414751234
Fascism isn’t a form of govt
It’s a collection of tactics used to convince people to surrender their freedom by handing over power
Freedom is fascism’s victim
Freedom to question
Freedom to choose
Freedom to create
Over the centuries, artists & writers have left many warnings
It’s a collection of tactics used to convince people to surrender their freedom by handing over power
Freedom is fascism’s victim
Freedom to question
Freedom to choose
Freedom to create
Over the centuries, artists & writers have left many warnings
https://twitter.com/StefSimanowitz/status/1347854521050017792
“Britain became afflicted by a fever dream of nationalism” @umairh
It’s clear that nationalism was deliberately stirred up, but was this a ‘mistake’ or was it part of a bigger plan?
A plan to remove regulation to allow scientific & technological ‘innovation’ without restraint.
It’s clear that nationalism was deliberately stirred up, but was this a ‘mistake’ or was it part of a bigger plan?
A plan to remove regulation to allow scientific & technological ‘innovation’ without restraint.
https://twitter.com/StefSimanowitz/status/1369905796449001474
In 2018, Liz Truss told the Koch-funded Cato Institute that “a thicket of regulation & control” is holding back business & called for a new “Anglo-American dream”
Was Brexit about deregulation?
Is the involvement of #PeterThiel’s Palantir about genomics?
Was Brexit about deregulation?
Is the involvement of #PeterThiel’s Palantir about genomics?
https://twitter.com/StefSimanowitz/status/1471796744455397379
#BREAKING: Today in the House of Lords will be the 2nd Reading of the shameful #NationalityAndBordersBill
This is a chance for all the problems with this proposed legislation to be laid out
66 Lords will be given just 5mins each
5mins!!! Where to begin!
Protest 1pm outside
This is a chance for all the problems with this proposed legislation to be laid out
66 Lords will be given just 5mins each
5mins!!! Where to begin!
Protest 1pm outside
The #NationalityAndBordersBill would a racist regime for ‘Contingent citizens’ - which isn’t controlled by rules of evidence; for 'misconduct' which is nowhere specified; which has no safeguards; & which carries the sanction of statelessness for those the Patel deems 'wrongdoers'
https://twitter.com/JolyonMaugham/status/1478652878277558274
Our #RighttoProtest is under threat
18 pages of last-minute l amendments introduced to the #PolicingBill - designed to avoid scrutiny - are grossly undemocratic & will remove basic freedoms
But it’s not too late to stop
Great explainer by @ZackPolanski
18 pages of last-minute l amendments introduced to the #PolicingBill - designed to avoid scrutiny - are grossly undemocratic & will remove basic freedoms
But it’s not too late to stop
Great explainer by @ZackPolanski
"When the govt get things wrong, the people need step up” @natalieben
"The #PolicingBill is draconian & anti-democratic" @CarolineLucas
“Protesting for the right to protest" @GreenJennyJones
“We need @UKLabour to step up” @ZackPolanski
#PoliceCrimeBill
"The #PolicingBill is draconian & anti-democratic" @CarolineLucas
“Protesting for the right to protest" @GreenJennyJones
“We need @UKLabour to step up” @ZackPolanski
#PoliceCrimeBill
On Monday, the House of Lords will vote on the #PolicingBill: a brazen assault on the right to protest
This weekend, there are protests across the country
Here @labourlewis explains why the authoritarian #PCSCBill must be opposed. #RightToProtest
This weekend, there are protests across the country
Here @labourlewis explains why the authoritarian #PCSCBill must be opposed. #RightToProtest
Today, the Lords will vote on clauses in the #PolicingBill which prohibit protest
If they amend the govt amendments, rather than just voting them down, the govt can take out those changes in the Commons, put the originals back in, & pass them into law green-party.medium.com/fighting-our-g…
If they amend the govt amendments, rather than just voting them down, the govt can take out those changes in the Commons, put the originals back in, & pass them into law green-party.medium.com/fighting-our-g…
“I doubt I'll have much time to sleep”
Member of the House of Lords, @GreenJennyJones, who’s been sounding the alarm over the #PolicingBill for months, just posted this photo of herself preparing to spend the night tonight at the House of Lords to oppose it. #ProtestIsNotACrime
Member of the House of Lords, @GreenJennyJones, who’s been sounding the alarm over the #PolicingBill for months, just posted this photo of herself preparing to spend the night tonight at the House of Lords to oppose it. #ProtestIsNotACrime
Another step along the road to authoritarianism
Attempts to stop provisions for mandatory Voter ID just defeated
It will now be harder for already disenfranchised communities to vote - a “solution” for a non-existent problem (voter fraud) #ElectionsBill
Attempts to stop provisions for mandatory Voter ID just defeated
It will now be harder for already disenfranchised communities to vote - a “solution” for a non-existent problem (voter fraud) #ElectionsBill
It is not all bad news
So far tonight, the govt had suffered six defeats on the #PolicingBill in the House of Lords
Well done @GreenJennyJones, @natalieben & others who have been campaigning tirelessly for the #RightToProtest
So far tonight, the govt had suffered six defeats on the #PolicingBill in the House of Lords
Well done @GreenJennyJones, @natalieben & others who have been campaigning tirelessly for the #RightToProtest
https://twitter.com/GreenJennyJones/status/1483194922689871878
Last night, the govt were defeated on 14 draconian amendments crow-barred into the #PolicingBill at the last minute without scrutiny
An important battle in the fight for democracy was won, but - poorly prepared for this well planned Blitzkrieg - we are losing the war #PoliceBill
An important battle in the fight for democracy was won, but - poorly prepared for this well planned Blitzkrieg - we are losing the war #PoliceBill
https://twitter.com/MirrorBreaking_/status/1483215188555931654
The enormity of what we’re up against is sobering
It requires us to set aside our differences & come together
We can no longer expend our energies fighting among ourselves
But as the defeat of the amendments in the #PolicingBill shows, it’s not too late
It requires us to set aside our differences & come together
We can no longer expend our energies fighting among ourselves
But as the defeat of the amendments in the #PolicingBill shows, it’s not too late
https://twitter.com/StefSimanowitz/status/1476108703795396608
Today in the Lords, the #NationalityAndBordersBill debate which seeks to take rights from refugees, is in it’s Committee Stage
There will be lots of amendments tabled to see where the Govt might be beaten in the next Stage
Here @AlfDubs explains
There will be lots of amendments tabled to see where the Govt might be beaten in the next Stage
Here @AlfDubs explains
Ystdy, the #NationalityAndBordersBill was debated in the House of Lords
People seeking sanctuary should be given protection on basis of need, not how they arrive
You wouldn’t turn someone away from hospital b/c they arrived by car instead of an ambulance
People seeking sanctuary should be given protection on basis of need, not how they arrive
You wouldn’t turn someone away from hospital b/c they arrived by car instead of an ambulance
https://twitter.com/ZoeJardiniere/status/1489205956441522178
MPs will vote on the #AntiRefugeeBill today
The #NationalityAndBordersBill violates intn’l law by penalising asylum seekers for their manner of entry
The govt have blocked an amendment which requires them to abide by the law
Summary👇by @NadiaWhittomeMP
The #NationalityAndBordersBill violates intn’l law by penalising asylum seekers for their manner of entry
The govt have blocked an amendment which requires them to abide by the law
Summary👇by @NadiaWhittomeMP
“In short this Bill won’t work” @JCWI_UK’s @ZoeJardiniere
The #AntiRefugeeBil would mean our govt criminalising, deporting & detaining refugees
Our asylum rules should reflect public compassion & generosity #BordersBill #NationalityAndBordersBill
The #AntiRefugeeBil would mean our govt criminalising, deporting & detaining refugees
Our asylum rules should reflect public compassion & generosity #BordersBill #NationalityAndBordersBill
“The true measure of a civilised society is not in its hostility but in its humanity”
MPs are now voting on the #NationalityAndBordersBill, a Bill described today as “the worst bit of legislation I’ve seen in 17 years” by @timfarron.
#AntiRefugeeBill @hrw
MPs are now voting on the #NationalityAndBordersBill, a Bill described today as “the worst bit of legislation I’ve seen in 17 years” by @timfarron.
#AntiRefugeeBill @hrw
#BREAKING: MPs voted 302:232 to reintroduce the #AntiRefugeeBill's clause 11, enabling the govt to treat refugees differently, depending on their method of entry to the UK & grant @pritipatel the power to send asylum seekers to #offshoredetention camps.
“Today, Tory MPs voted to make it a criminal offence for Ukrainian families to arrive in the UK without the right papers with a penalty of up to 4 years in prison. This is deeply shameful” #BordersBill #AntiRefugeeBill #NationalitiesAndBordersBill #UKraine
theguardian.com/world/2022/mar…
theguardian.com/world/2022/mar…
“An act of human rights vandalism”
The @amnesty world report on the state of human rights, slams UK govt’s attack on fundamental rights & protections, highlighting attempts to dismantle the Human Rights Act & a battery of laws on refugees & policing
theguardian.com/global-develop…
The @amnesty world report on the state of human rights, slams UK govt’s attack on fundamental rights & protections, highlighting attempts to dismantle the Human Rights Act & a battery of laws on refugees & policing
theguardian.com/global-develop…
This damning indictment of the UK is just one of 154 countries examined in @amnesty’s Annual Report, out today!👇
“People the world over have made it abundantly clear that a more just world, grounded in human rights, is what they want.” @AgnesCallamard
“People the world over have made it abundantly clear that a more just world, grounded in human rights, is what they want.” @AgnesCallamard
https://twitter.com/StefSimanowitz/status/1508376785049862144
Today, the #BordersBill that seeks to turn people fleeing from war, insecurity & persecution into criminals, will return to the House of Lords
Show solidarity with @GreenJennyJones @natalieben @CarolineLucas & those fighting the Bill
#TogetherWithRefugees
Show solidarity with @GreenJennyJones @natalieben @CarolineLucas & those fighting the Bill
#TogetherWithRefugees
Plans to ship asylum seekers to Rwanda take responsibility-shifting of refugee protection to a new low
It is cruel AND costly (at least 4x more than processing them in UK)
Research estimates measures in the #BordersBill will cost an extra £2.7bn to reform the UK's asylum system
It is cruel AND costly (at least 4x more than processing them in UK)
Research estimates measures in the #BordersBill will cost an extra £2.7bn to reform the UK's asylum system
https://twitter.com/stefsimanowitz/status/1389884745153122307
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