The method that the British government wants to use to keep demonstrators away during the coronation of King Charles has caused much discussion. The British security minister wants to make the demonstration more difficult and introduce tougher penalties for protesters who do more than express their opinion.
The laws had been in preparation for some time, but were dealt with by parliament in a short time. Just in time for Coronation Day next Saturday, and that has everything to do with Extinction Rebellion according to UK correspondent Lia van Bekhoven. “They’ve blocked the highways, among other things, so there’s been a debate in recent months about a tougher approach and making demonstrations more difficult.”
“Any protester who causes a nuisance can assume that the police have the right to arrest a protester.”
The difficulty lies mainly in the higher sentences, says Van Bekhoven. Protesters who try to block something, or shout something, run the risk of having to go to jail for 12 months. ‘Indeed; any protester causing a disturbance may assume that the police have the right to arrest a protester.’
Freedom of word
This appears to run counter to the right to freedom of expression, and therein lies the crux. As an example, Van Bekhoven cites a protester who was arrested for holding an anti-monarchist placard. “That was enough to pick her up.”
While it’s led to a lot of discussion, the sting appears to be out for now. According to Van Bekhoven, this is because the law has been drafted for so long. “The discussions have actually already taken place,” he says, referring to some restrictions on civil liberties under Boris Johnson. This also includes the right to demonstrate. The reason they have rushed now is because of the coronation: many Britons oppose the law, but can imagine that with so many heads of state expected on Saturday, such a law would need to be drawn up.’
He points out that demonstrating is not entirely prohibited in the UK, “but the British authorities would much prefer anti-monarchists to stay at home, and many Britons can agree with that,” concludes Van Bekhoven.
Source: BNR
Sharon Rock is an author and journalist who writes for 24 News Globe. She has a passion for learning about different cultures and understanding the complexities of the world. With a talent for explaining complex global issues in an accessible and engaging way, Sharon has become a respected voice in the field of world news journalism.
