Repealing the ban on unauthorised protest in the vicinity of Parliament

In March 2008, the Government announced that the law restricting freedom of speech around Parliament contained in sections 132-138 of SOCPA would be repealed. While this is a significant victory for all those who challenged, in whatever way, a law that means that we can only protest with police permission where dissent most needs to be heard, the legislation has not yet passed through Parliament and the signals are that Parliament will seek to keep some restrictions on protest around Parliament and/or adopt new ones.

See details on Parliamentary Committees on freedom to protest issues, including the repeal of sections 132-138 of SOCPA, and how to make a submission - deadline June 2008

See details of the results of the public consultation and the Government's announcement that sections 132-138 will be repealed - March 2008.

See 'the law' for the history of the SOCPA legislation

See here for campaigning information for responding to the consultation