The UK government has launched a systematic assault on democratic rights, banning demonstrations, making major inroads on freedom of speech, and flagrantly disregarding human rights laws.
The turn to authoritarian rule by the British ruling class is so pronounced that it is drawing criticisms from human rights monitors.
A statement by Human Rights Watch published last week notes, “The right to protest peacefully is under threat, as pro-Palestine protesters and climate activists have experienced recently, and the country has joined the global race to the bottom regarding migration and refugees.”
Some of the most egregious actions have been taken against protests over Israel’s genocide. Last month, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak threatened demonstrators, “I’d just remind everyone that Hamas is a proscribed terrorist organization. People should not be supporting Hamas and we will make sure that we hold people to account if they are.” The UK police have arrested hundreds of people for demonstrating in opposition to the genocide in Gaza—often merely for displaying signs.
Despite government threats, millions of people have protested in the UK against the genocide, with up to one million marching in London on November 11.
The UK government’s efforts to criminalize opposition to Israel’s genocide in Gaza is part of a global assault on democratic rights. In France, Germany and other European countries, authorities have attempted to ban protests. In the United States, the Senate passed a resolution accusing demonstrators of “expressing solidarity with terrorists,” and several universities have moved to ban Students for Justice in Palestine.