UK's New Laws Restricting Protests Face Criticism

Hundreds of Environmental Activists Arrested as Critics Argue Civil Rights are Being Eroded

New laws in the UK have led to hundreds of arrests of environmental activists for peaceful protests, with critics arguing that these laws are eroding civil rights and marking a worrying departure for a liberal democracy.
The Conservative government defends these laws, arguing they prevent extremist activists from hurting the economy and disrupting daily life.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has been criticized for pushing prime ministerial power to the limits, including asking Parliament to overrule the U.K. Supreme Court, which blocked a plan to send asylum-seekers to Rwanda.
Legal changes made in 2022 and 2023 have increased police powers to restrict protests and imposed penalties of up to 12 months in prison for protesters who block key infrastructure.
Many legal and constitutional experts argue that the treatment of protesters is a symptom of an increasingly reckless attitude toward Britain’s democratic structures, fueled by Brexit.