High Court rules former UK home secretary acted unlawfully in restricting protest rights

The High Court in London has ruled that former UK home secretary Suella Braverman acted unlawfully when she used ‘Henry VIII powers’ to restrict protest rights. The court found that the secondary legislation she implemented, which significantly lowered the threshold on protest crackdowns, was beyond what was allowed by the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022.

The ruling stated that the legislation should be quashed, but this decision has been suspended pending an appeal. Human rights organization Liberty, which brought the challenge, has called on the police to refrain from using these powers until the appeal has been heard and for prosecutions under the law to be put on hold.

According to Liberty, hundreds of protesters have been arrested under these measures, including climate activist Greta Thunberg who was acquitted of all charges in a hearing earlier this year. Liberty’s director, Akiko Hart, hailed the ruling as a victory for democracy and emphasized the importance of government accountability and respect for citizens’ rights.

Lawyer Katy Watts added that the government should not be allowed to ignore the rules at the expense of fundamental human rights. She expressed concern over the government’s plans to introduce more restrictions on protests, including a ban on wearing face coverings, which could make it unsafe for some individuals to participate in demonstrations.

The ruling sends a clear message that those in power must make decisions that respect the rights of the public and work to protect those rights rather than strip them away further. It is a reminder that accountability matters and that the government cannot simply bypass the law to suppress dissenting voices.