The method that the British government wants to use to remove protesters during the coronation of King Charles has sparked great controversy. Britain's security minister wants to make demonstrations more difficult and impose tougher penalties on protesters who do more than just express their opinions.
The UK restricts the right to demonstrate
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 this Saturday, and this has something to do with Extinction Rebellion according to UK correspondent Leah van Beechoven. “They have closed highways, among other things, so there has been discussion in recent months about taking a tougher approach and making the demonstrations more difficult.”
'Any protester who causes a disturbance can assume that the police have the right to arrest a protester'
Van Beechoven points out that the difficulty lies mainly in the higher penalties. Protesters who try to block something or shout something risk 12 months in prison. 'In reality; Any protester who causes a disturbance can assume that the police have the right to arrest a protester.
freedom of expression
This seems to conflict with the right to freedom of expression, which is the crux of the matter. For example, Van Beechoven mentions a protester who was arrested because he was carrying an anti-monarchy banner. “That was enough to get her arrested.”
Although this has led to many discussions, the sting seems to have faded for now. According to Van Beechoven, this is because the law has been in the works for a long time. “Discussions have already taken place,” she says, referring to some of the restrictions on civil liberties imposed under Boris Johnson. “This also includes the right to demonstrate.” The reason they now go to the coronation is that many Britons object to the law, but they can imagine that, since a large number of heads of state are expected on Saturday, it is necessary to come up with such a law. .'
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She stresses that it is not strictly forbidden to demonstrate in the United Kingdom, “but the British authorities would much prefer that anti-monarchists stay at home, and many Britons agree with that,” Van Bechoven concludes.
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