LONDON In a historic ruling, the Court of Appeal has declared the UK government’s anti-protest legislation unlawful, marking a significant victory for civil liberties. The court found that the laws granted police “almost unlimited powers” to restrict protests, thus violating the fundamental democratic right to free assembly.
The ruling stems from a legal challenge led by the human rights group Liberty, which argued that the legislation, introduced under the previous government, was overly broad and infringed on the constitutional rights of citizens to express dissent.
“This judgment is a clear affirmation that government ministers cannot bypass legal boundaries to suppress peaceful protest,” said Martha Spurrier, Director of Liberty. “It’s a critical moment in the fight for civil freedoms.”
The Court’s decision underscores the importance of upholding the principles of democracy, particularly when it comes to the right to protest and freedom of expression. Legal experts have noted that this ruling will likely prompt a re-evaluation of similar laws across the country.
This ruling comes at a time when public protests have become more frequent, driven by widespread concerns over issues such as economic inequality, climate change, and government transparency. Critics of the previous government’s measures argue that they were designed to limit protest activity, particularly for those challenging policy decisions and corporate interests.
The government has yet to issue a formal response to the ruling, but the decision is expected to influence future discussions on the balance between public order and the right to dissent.
