The UK police have been accused of attacking civil liberties aby human rights groups after dozens of arrests were made by officers during the coronation of King Charles III to prevent disruption.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed 52 arrests were made on the day of the coronation, including for “affray, public order offences, breach of the peace and conspiracy to cause a public nuisance."
Rights organisations believe the arrests showed the right to expression was now under threat in the UK since the government pushed through powers to prevent protests, days before the coronation.
This crackdown became the latest in a "concerted attack" on civil liberties, Martha Spurrier, director of campaign organisation Liberty said.
It was said that the arresting of people for planning disruptive protests was a "manifestation of a fundamental shift” against freedom of expression. “They’re laying the groundwork for trying to shut down that dissent swiftly and effectively.”
Anti-monarchy group Republic on Twitter admitted that six members including its chief executive Graham Smith were arrested, along with hundreds of placards being seized that morning.
The group announced they would protest against the coronation making their objections “loud, visible and impossible to ignore”.
“There is no longer a right to peaceful protest in the UK. I have been told many times the monarch is there to defend our freedoms. Now our freedoms are under attack in his name," said Graham Smith.
Also among the arrested were three volunteers from the Westminster council who were supporting a women's safety initiative in central London. They were handing out bottled water and rape alarms.
The Met had reportedly received intelligence of groups planning to disrupt the coronation using rape alarms. Three people were arrested around 2AM on Saturday, later being released on bail.
Aicha Less, Westminster cabinet member has said the council was "deeply concerned" of the reports of volunteers being arrested.
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey, along with several other opposition members criticised police response. He accused the government of "passing legislation to clamp down on protest that breached British traditions of civil liberties."
A new public order bill, receiving royal assent last week, has made certain types of disruptive protest a criminal offence. New police powers were introduced, including the right to intervene to stop protests before they happen.
The UN high commissioner for human rights, Volker Türk, said the law imposed “serious and undue restrictions” on freedom of expression.
A Met Police commander, Karen Findlay has said that a "significant" police operation responded to intelligence of protesters planning to disrupt the coronation.
The Met had planned to respond in a “proportionate manner . . . when protest becomes criminal and may cause serious disruption."
Lucy Frazer, Culture Secretary told BBC the police had to make "tough choices" between ensuring the smooth running of the coronation and allowing the right to protest.
Comments
Post a Comment