Civil society organisations in the United Kingdom are moving to protect the right to protest after the government proposed new policing powers affecting demonstrations in England and Wales. The measures would allow authorities to restrict protests based on cumulative disruption linked to past or planned demonstrations in the same area.
Proposed rules raise concerns over the right to protest
Civil society groups, including Amnesty International UK, Greenpeace, Liberty, Quakers in Britain, the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, and trade unions, plan a joint mass lobby of Parliament on 17 March 2026. The event aims to inform lawmakers and press for opposition to the government’s proposed policing powers.
Amnesty UK raised concerns in an X post, urging the public to defend the right to protest and challenge the proposal. The disclosure warned that the changes could affect demonstrations connected to women’s rights, peace, climate justice, racial justice, and equality.
The proposal would require police to consider earlier or future demonstrations in the same location when deciding whether to impose restrictions. Government officials said the measures respond to mass national marches supporting Palestinian rights, according to the statement.
Human rights advocates argue the potential impact extends beyond a single political issue and could shape broader civic engagement.
Peaceful protest is protected in the UK under Articles 10 and 11 of the Human Rights Act, which safeguard freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. Nearly 7,000 climate protesters were arrested in the UK between 2019 and mid-2025.
Authorities have also arrested about 2,700 people protesting peacefully against the proscription of Palestine Action since 2021.
“Our right to protest must be defended,” said Amnesty UK in the X post. “Please join Amnesty UK, Palestine Solidarity Campaign, and many other groups to defend our right to protest.”
The organisation said the government has advanced a far-reaching proposal that would expand police powers to limit protests. It added that, if implemented, the change could affect the wider public.
Wider scrutiny of protest restrictions
International observers have raised concerns about shrinking civic space in the UK. United Nations experts, the Council of Europe’s Human Rights Commissioner, and the CIVICUS global civil society alliance have warned of increasing restrictions on peaceful assembly.
Recent sector developments have also highlighted pressures facing charities and civil society groups. Charity Journal previously explored these challenges in a report on UK charities facing funding cuts.
Separate coverage has examined regulatory oversight involving religious institutions in England and Wales. This reporting focused on Charity Commission warnings issued to dioceses.
Amnesty UK stated that arrests of peaceful protesters may violate international obligations protecting freedom of expression and assembly. The organisation urges authorities to drop charges against peaceful demonstrators while debate over the proposed policing powers continues.
