UK : Severe Crackdown on Climate Protests? : Al Jazeera / Article Shared by Tom McDermott

There is reason concern when the UK and perhaps other major countries begin serious crackdowns on climate protests.  There is little doubt that some protests have gone too far - an example being criminal damage to works of art or public places.  Peaceful protests, however, are another matter.  

Micahel Forst, Special Rapporteur on Environmental Defenders, has rightly called attention to misuse of laws and police powers in the UK to restrict protesters.  In one example, the article mentions that, "Last month, a peaceful climate protestor who took part in a slow march for about 30 minutes was sentenced to six months in prison."

Tom

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AI Summary:

- A UN expert, Michel Forst, has warned of a "severe crackdown" on environmental and climate change protesters in the UK. He says peaceful protesters are facing regressive laws, severe penalties, and restrictions on their right to protest.

- Harsh new laws are allowing protesters to be charged with "public nuisance", punishable by up to 10 years in jail. Recently, a peaceful climate marcher was sentenced to 6 months in prison.

- Forst slammed the use of restrictive bail conditions against protesters, which can last up to 2 years and negatively impact their lives.

- He warned that protesters face a "toxic discourse" in the British media and from politicians, putting them at risk of threats and physical attacks.

- Overall, Forst argues the UK government is severely curtailing the right to peaceful environmental protest, through punitive laws, penalties, bail restrictions and dangerous rhetoric. He says this crackdown is extremely worrying.