The United Kingdom has just stopped oil to win a reduction in prison – but lose the greatest battle – politico

But a recent increase in the disruptive and destructive protest between climate activists, in groups like Stop Oil and Extinction Rebellion, met with stricter police services and, according to experts, some of the longest sentences ever designed for non -violent activism.

The call of “sunflowers” rejected

The frustration of the public towards climatic groups has developed as their protest methods have become more and more spectacular, boring and disruptive.

Last year, Prime Minister Keir Starmer, a former human rights lawyer and director of public prosecution, called for demonstrators who block roads or target cultural events and icons to cope with the entire strength of the law.

Friday, the secretary of Shadow Justice, Robert Jenrick, said: “It is disappointing that these radical disruptors had their sorrows reduce. This judgment undermines deterrence and risks sending a dangerous message. »»

But arresting oil supporters said he was sending the exact opposite message. The Court of Appeal “very clearly confirmed the principle of long prison terms for a peaceful protest – much longer than the starting point for a serious sexual assault,” said Tim Crossland, a legal expert in the Defend Ours campaign.

In a 44 -page judgment, the judges, however, postponed the longest of the sentences, citing the need to balance the freedoms of assembly and expression during punishment.