LONDON: The British government is reviewing its legal framework governing protests, hate crime and public order, reiterating that the rights to peaceful protest and freedom of expression do not extend to violence, threats, intimidation or other unlawful conduct.
The development follows concerns raised by British Pakistani journalist and community member Waqar Malik, who wrote to Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, urging action against what he described as the misuse of British soil for anti-Pakistan activities, threats and inflammatory rhetoric.
In his letter, Malik said demonstrations relating to Pakistan and Azad Kashmir had taken place in several UK cities, including Birmingham, Manchester, Sheffield and Bradford.
In response, the Home Office said the right to peaceful protest is protected only within the boundaries of the law, stressing that demonstrations involving violence, intimidation, threats, or conduct intended to cause fear or alarm are not protected.
While expressing support for peaceful protest and democratic freedoms, Malik argued that such rights should not be used to justify violence, intimidation, hate speech or activities that violate British law.
He urged the UK government and law enforcement agencies to investigate any unlawful conduct and take appropriate legal action where offences are established.
Home Office Reaffirms Limits of Protest Rights
According to the UK Home Office, peaceful protest is protected only within the limits of the law and does not permit violence, threats, intimidation or conduct that creates fear among the public.
The Home Office also said freedom of expression does not extend to inciting hatred, encouraging violence or engaging in criminal behaviour. It added that police have full legal powers to act against demonstrations that breach public order laws or involve criminal offences.
Officials further said restrictions could be imposed on protests that seriously disrupt communities or create fear, alarm or distress, while laws relating to hate crime and intimidation would continue to be enforced.
Review of Protest and Hate Crime Laws
The Home Office confirmed that the government has commissioned an independent review of legislation relating to protests and hate crime under the leadership of Lord Macdonald.
According to officials, the review is examining whether the current legal framework strikes an appropriate balance between protecting freedom of expression, safeguarding the right to peaceful protest and ensuring public safety.
The review is also assessing whether existing laws provide adequate protection against hate speech, threats and other forms of unlawful conduct.
The Home Office said Lord Macdonald has submitted his report to the government. Officials are currently considering its findings before issuing a formal government response and publishing the report.
Letter Calls for Action Against Unlawful Activities
In his letter, Malik said no individual or group should be allowed to use British territory to promote violence, issue threats, or encourage unlawful activities against another country.
He argued that Pakistan is a sovereign state capable of addressing its internal affairs through constitutional and legal mechanisms, while warning that the actions of a small number of individuals could damage community relations and social harmony in the United Kingdom.
He called on British authorities to conduct an impartial review of any individuals found to have violated UK law and to ensure that British soil is not used for hatred, violence or unlawful activities directed against any country.
