Balance between freedom of expression and social order : a case study of rights to protest in The United Kingdom

Abstract

This thesis aims at studying the rights to protest in the United Kingdom. In this study, the author gathers data from books, documents and the internet that are related to protest in the United Kingdom. Protests are normal events which happen regularly in the United Kingdom and they are expression of rights and freedom of the citizens. There are many types of protest such as a strike, a protest against a policy or an action of the government or its agency and even a protest that is not at all related to the United Kingdom. Generally, the government or the authority will not get involved with the expression of rights and freedom of individuals. This however does not mean that the protestors can do anything according to their free will without any fear of prosecution. Protestors are protected and given rights to protest according to laws on rights and freedom of expression. In this study, the focus is on Articles 10 and 11 of the European Convention on Human Rights, a European law conferring the protection of human rights; Public Order Act, which deals with procession and assembly and how they should proceed and be controlled; and other related criminal laws. In principle, protests are allowed, but it must not involve violence, the damage of assets and properties, and obstructing others from using their rights. If there is a use of force or violence, the action is a violation of law and can be prosecuted and apprehended by the police. In order to hold a protest, the organisers must inform the responsible authority at least six days in advance in order that public order can be sustained. Therefore, it can be said that the United Kingdom gives substantial rights and freedom to its citizen in political expression as long as done without disturbing social order.