Jules Carey, partner at Bindmans LLP and Head of our Actions against Police and State team, gave evidence to the Joint Committee on Human Rights earlier this afternoon. The Committee is currently carrying out pre-legislative scrutiny of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill. Jules was invited to speak about the protest provisions in the Bill. During his evidence he told the committee:

Taken together, the clauses in this bill violate international human rights standards and constitute a savage attack on the right to peaceful assembly in this country. Clamping down on protest is not just the muting of the voices of dissent; it is the government deliberately shutting its ears to warnings and alarms raised by concerned citizens. It is a foolish landlord who removes all the fire alarms in his property because he doesn’t like the noise.

You can watch a recording of the session here.