New UK laws to curb ‘disruptive protests’ come into effect

New public order powers to prevent “disruptive” protests in the UK are due to come into force on Friday.

Serious disorder prevention orders are designed to prevent individuals from repeatedly causing serious disorder at protests.

Civil liberties group Liberty described the legislation as a “shameless attempt” by the government to reduce the right to protest.

The new orders could impose a range of restrictions, including preventing people from entering specific locations or areas, engaging in disruptive activity and being with protest groups at certain times.

They can also prevent individuals from using the internet to encourage protest-related criminal behavior.

The orders can be targeted against those who have committed protest-related offenses (such as lockdowns) or breached injunction conditions on at least two occasions.

The Public Order Act 2023, passed last year, introduced Serious Disorder Prevention Orders, breaching which will be a criminal offense punishable by up to six months in prison and/or an unlimited fine.

Home Secretary James Cleverly said: “The public has a democratic right to protest and this government will always uphold this right.

“However, recent months have shown that some individuals are keen to cause havoc and cause serious disruption to the public’s daily lives.”

“That’s why we are introducing these new powers to ensure that anyone who ignores the warnings of our law enforcement cannot continue to cause disorder with impunity.”

The introduction of the new order is the latest step by the government to suppress “destructive protests”.

Jodie Beck, policy and campaigns officer at the liberal group, said: “These measures are a shameless attempt to stop people from having their voices heard on the issues that matter most to them.”

“In recent years, the government has repeatedly introduced new laws that curtail our right to protest.”

“Many of these laws are very broad and vague, including targeting offences, which when combined with these new measures could result in people being banned from protesting entirely for something as simple as having linked arms with other protesters before.”

“Of particular concern is the Criminal Justice Bill’s planned increased crackdown on protests, including proposed bans on face masks, which will impact on clinically vulnerable protesters and political dissidents.”

“Protest is a human right, not a gift of the state. Governments should support people’s right to protest, not undermine it.”

The Criminal Justice Bill will also prohibit individuals from using their right to protest as a defense to criminal offences.

The Home Office said this series of measures will ensure that people can exercise their democratic right to protest, while ensuring that the public can go about their daily lives safely without serious disruption.

Under public order legislation, serious disruption can occur when protests prevent or hinder daily activities, construction or maintenance works, cause delays in the delivery of time-sensitive products or disrupt access to essential goods and services in a more serious way. than minors.