Keir Starmer’s Government Under Fire for Anti-Protest Stance
Human Rights Watch has raised alarming concerns about the UK Government’s erosion of fundamental rights, particularly the freedom to protest, in its World Report 2025. Since taking office in July 2024, Keir Starmer’s Labour Government has failed to revoke harsh anti-protest laws imposed by the previous Conservative Government, continuing to contest a court ruling that aims to safeguard these rights.
Escalating Authoritarianism Amid Law Enforcement Expansion
The report highlighted a worrying trend where authoritarian leaders are gaining traction in global elections, aided by discriminatory policies. Laws such as the Public Order Act of 2023 and the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act of 2022 have vastly increased police powers, leading to numerous peaceful protesters facing imprisonment. Specifically, the Public Order Act has intensified the crackdown on climate and pro-Palestinian demonstrations.
International Calls for Protection of Protest Rights
International bodies have responded, notably the UN special rapporteur on environmental defenders, who expressed serious concerns regarding the UK’s treatment of environmental activists. The Labour government’s ongoing appeal against a High Court ruling that invalidated certain anti-protest measures has been met with disappointment by civil society advocates who celebrated the original ruling as a victory.
The UN’s Stand on Surveillance
The UN Human Rights Committee has urged the UK to halt facial recognition and mass surveillance practices at protests, advocating for civil liberties, including privacy and assembly rights. Although PM Starmer’s government has abolished the previous regime’s Rwanda deportation policy and aims to tackle the asylum backlog, the harsh frameworks of the Illegal Migration Act and Nationality and Borders Act remain intact.
Voices of Concern from Human Rights Advocates
Yasmine Ahmed, UK director of Human Rights Watch, lamented the continued defense of antidemocratic legislation, stating, “the right to peaceful protest is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy.” Akiko Hart from Liberty added that more protesters are incarcerated than ever under these laws, which have been labeled as “deeply troubling” by the UN.
– Human Rights Watch criticizes Starmer’s government for upholding strict anti-protest laws. – The UK’s Public Order Act and Police, Crime Act severely restrict peaceful protests. – The UN and civil rights groups call out the UK for undermining protest rights. – Alarm over increased police powers amid rising authoritarianism globally.
Human Rights Watch’s indictment of Keir Starmer’s government emphasizes a disturbing inertia in protecting essential democratic freedoms. Despite initial hopes for a renewed commitment to civil liberties, the ongoing defense of stringent anti-protest laws reveals a troubling disregard for fundamental rights. As activism faces intensified scrutiny and potential criminalization, advocates continue to urge the government to safeguard the right to protest and restore democratic integrity in the UK.
Original Source: bylinetimes.com
