Thread by @JolyonMaugham

In April the United Nations described the Public Order Bill as "deeply troubling legislation that is incompatible with the UK’s international human rights obligations regarding people’s rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association." shar.es/agpsHs

Last month, the UN Rapporteur said the crackdown on environmental protest in Britain with “draconian” new laws, excessive restrictions on courtroom evidence and the use of civil injunctions is having a chilling impact on fundamental freedoms. theguardian.com/environment/20…

And in November the UN said the (now) Public Order Act "appears to be a direct attack on the right to the freedom of peaceful assembly" and criticised the long sentences given to environmental protestors. bbc.com/news/articles/…

This is the very worrying, anti-democratic, context to a quiet briefing that the BBC is carrying of more anti-protest laws "a wider plan that is set to be unveiled later this week, aimed at tackling disorder at protests, the Home Office said." bbc.co.uk/news/uk-681962…

These laws are not targeted at the protests of the Government's Far Right allies. They are targeted at the political speech and acts of its enemies: those protesting against the "plausible" genocide of Palestinians and the destruction of the planet often by Tory Big Oil donors.

Our media (with few exceptions) actively supports these measures or won't make the case against them (it "balances" the case for basic democratic rights with the case against them).

But the right to protest against political power - the right that most matters - is in crisis.

Meanwhile, the Government diverts public assets to its friends and donors/investors. Its media attacks its enemies. And our courts block off challenge.

We may like to think we are better than the corruptocacracies of Turkey and Hungary - but they are our destination.