CNN —A United Nations envoy said he was “alarmed,” “distressed” and “seriously concerned” by the treatment of climate activists in the United Kingdom, in a damning report published Tuesday that criticized “increasingly severe crackdowns” on peaceful protesters in the country.
Last year, the the country introduced new legislation giving police more power to stop protests.
“It had been almost unheard of since the 1930s for members of the public to be imprisoned for peaceful protest in the UK,” Forst wrote.
Climate protesters are increasingly undertaking high-profile and disruptive actions.
But the fact they cause disruption does not mean they are not peaceful, Forst said.
Persons:
” “, ”, “, Michel Forst, ” Forst, Forst
Organizations:
CNN, United Nations, Environmental, Wimbledon, ” CNN
Locations:
United Kingdom, England