GENEVA, Switzerland -- UN human rights chief Volker Turk on Thursday urged Britain to scrap its incoming public order laws aimed at tackling disruptive protests, saying they imposed serious and disproportionate restrictions. The Public Order Bill was passed by the British parliament late Wednesday and now awaits being signed into law by King Charles III. The law aims to combat the disruptive protests and guerrilla tactics employed by climate activist groups such as Extinction Rebellion and Just Stop Oil, which have included blocking roads, to the increasing annoyance of motorists. Just Stop Oil climate activists hold a placard as they march in central London on April 27, 2023 as part of their campaign calling on the UK government to end approval for exploring, developing and producing fossil fuels. (JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP)
Turk said the legislation was deeply troubling and incompatible with Britain's international human rights obligations regarding people's rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association. "This new law imposes serious and undue restrictions on these rights that are neither necessary nor proportionate," the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights said. "This law is wholly unnecessary as UK police already have the powers to act against violent and disruptive demonstrations." "It is especially worrying that the law expands the powers of the police to stop and search individuals, including without suspicion... and imposes unnecessary and disproportionate criminal sanctions on people organising or taking part in peaceful protests," he added. Turk said the law could see individuals banned from being in certain places at particular times and could lead to them being monitored electronically. "The grave risk here is that these orders pre-emptively limit someone's future legitimate exercise of their rights," he said. Turk voiced concern that the law seemed to target peaceful demonstrations by climate activists. "Governments should be protecting and facilitating peaceful protests on such existential topics, not hindering and blocking them," he said. "I call on the UK government to reverse this legislation as soon as feasible." Just Stop Oil protesters caused gridlock in central London on Monday by blocking roads for more than three hours. Extinction Rebellion -- whose members have previously blocked roads and glued themselves to objects -- have said they will move away from disruptive demonstration methods in Britain.