Reports from Human Rights Watch and Justice warn that the right to protest in England and Wales is under severe attack due to recent legislative changes. These laws have granted police broad powers to restrict demonstrations based on vague criteria like “serious unease” or noise levels, leading to what critics call a “chilling effect” on dissent. The article highlights specific instances of suppression, including the arrests of anti-monarchy protesters during the King’s coronation and historically long prison sentences for climate activists. Human rights organizations are now calling for the repeal of these restrictive measures.
Date: January 8, 2026. Source: theguardian.com