Thread by @docrussjackson

Whether you're Left, Right, or Centrist, #GC, #TransRights, #BlackLivesMatter, #AllLivesMatter, pro-#NHS, anti-#lockdown, #Republican or #Monarchist, the Govt's draconian, antidemocratic, & anti-free speech Public Order Bill should concern #EVERYONE. 🇬🇧

shar.es/afUtGi

GENEVA, 27/04/23:

The Public Order Bill, which has now been passed by the UK Parliament, is deeply troubling legislation that is incompatible with the UK’s international human rights obligations regarding people’s rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly & association.

“This new law imposes serious & undue restrictions on these rights that are neither  necessary nor proportionate to achieve a legitimate purpose as defined under international law.”
- UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk.

“This law is wholly unnecessary as UK police already have the powers to act against violent and disruptive demonstrations. It is especially worrying that the law expands the powers of the police to stop and search individuals, including without suspicion.”
- Volker Türk.

The Public Order Bill “defines some of the new criminal offences in a vague and overly broad manner; and imposes unnecessary and disproportionate criminal sanctions on people organizing or taking part in peaceful protests.”

- UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk.

The High Commissioner drew particular attention to 'Serious Disruption Prevention Orders' introduced by the law that allow UK courts to ban affected individuals from being in certain places at certain times; being with particular people; or using the internet in certain ways.

'Serious Disruption Prevention Orders' could lead to the individual in question being electronically monitored to ensure compliance.

It is especially concerning that such orders can be made against people who have never been convicted of any criminal offence.

“Governments are obliged to facilitate peaceful protests, while, of course, protecting the public from serious and sustained disruption. But the grave risk here is that these orders pre-emptively limit someone’s future legitimate exercise of their rights.”
- UN High Commissioner.

“I am also concerned that the law appears to target in particular peaceful actions used by those protesting about human rights and environmental issues.”

- UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk.

“As the world faces the triple planetary crises of climate change, loss of biodiversity and pollution, governments should be protecting and facilitating peaceful protests on such existential topics, not hindering and blocking them.”

- UN High Commissioner for Human Rights

“The passage of this Bill regrettably weakens human rights obligations, which the country has long championed in international fora. I call on the UK Government to reverse this legislation as soon as feasible.”

- UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk.