Bond statement in support of Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights intervention in relation to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill

On the 1st of July, Dunja Mijatović, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, wrote to the Speaker of the House of Commons and the Lord Speaker of the House of Lords to flag human rights concerns relating to proposed clauses on protests and public order contained in the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, due to pass its remaining stages in the House of Commons on Monday.

Stephanie Draper, CEO Bond, the UK network for organisations working in international development, said:

“The ECHR Commissioner’s warnings about the Police, Crimes, Sentencing and Courts Bill should be seen as sounding the alarm against the increasing pressures and restrictions on civil society in the UK. MPs across the House must urgently come together and support amendments to remove these from the Bill during Monday’s debate.”

ENDS
Notes to Editor

  1. The letter of the Commissioner to the Speaker of the House of Commons and the Lord Speaker of the House of Lords can be found here.
  2. Bond are calling for the government to remove Part 3 (public order) and Part 4 (unauthorised encampments) from the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill.
  3. Bond is the UK network for organisations working in international development. Bond unites and supports a diverse network of over 400 civil society organisations from across the UK, and allies to help eradicate global poverty, inequality and injustice.
  4. For further information or interviews please contact Maryam Mohsin on 07555 336029 or [email protected]