Source · Select Committees · Human Rights (Joint Committee)
Recommendation 18
18
Rejected
To improve accessibility and foreseeability, the Bill should be amended to include a definition of...
Recommendation
To improve accessibility and foreseeability, the Bill should be amended to include a definition of “protest” or alternatively the need for the procession or assembly to constitute a protest should be removed. Removing this requirement would, however, widen the reach of the offence and should be accompanied by further changes to the Bill proposed below. (Recommendation, Paragraph 117)
Government Response Summary
The government rejects the recommendation, stating it does not consider it necessary or appropriate to define 'protest' or remove the protest requirement, as this would broaden the designation remit beyond its policy rationale.
Government Response
Rejected
HM Government
Rejected
For the reasons outlined above, the Government does not consider it necessary or appropriate to provide a definition of ‘protest’. The Government’s view is that removing references to ‘protest’ from the threshold for designation would (as the Committee acknowledges) broaden the circumstances in which a locality can be designated, extending designation remit beyond the protest sphere to potentially cover assemblies and processions such as cultural and customary events. This extends beyond the Government’s policy rationale to assist police in being able to respond effectively when the rights of others are significantly affected.