7th October 2025
Do we have a right to protest? Is protest an extension of the right to our freedom of expression?
The charity Liberty puts it thus:
“Everyone has the right to protest and to organise protests. This right is protected by the European Convention on Human Rights (the ECHR).
Your right to freedom of expression is protected under Article 10 of the ECHR. Your right to freedom of assembly is protected under Article 11.
These Articles have been brought into UK law by the Human Rights Act 1998. It
- Requires public authorities, like the police, to act in a way that is compatible with your rights. The police also have the legal obligation to help protests take place. A legal obligation is something that the law requires you to do. It’s not optional.
- Allows you to bring a claim in UK courts when your rights are not respected.” (1)
Liberty goes on to explain that the right to protest is not without some limitations, principally that the police can curtail or limit the right to protest if there are other legal laws to be considered (eg the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022) or to prevent crime and disorder, to protect public health or to protect the rights of others. Nevertheless these limits must be proportionate. What police may do – rather than banning a protest – is impose restrictions on that protest.
So for example when I am part of CCA’s regular vigil outside Parliament, the police many ask what are plans are, how many people we expect and how long we intend staying. Or for example a march such as the Palestinian Solidarity March, will be required to follow a specific route and start and finish at specified times. (Protests that involve moving as opposed to stationary protests typically need to be pre-arranged with the police).
Liberty’s webpage has more information about rights and legal restrictions around protest.
The Green Tau 