SOCPA
What is SOCPA?
The Serious Organised Crime and Police Act (SOCPA) became law on 1 August 2005, which could have far reaching consequences for campaigners within sections on: harassment, restrictions on the right to protest around Parliament and those targeted at specific campaigns (see link below).
The Act has enabled the police to ban demonstrations in what is known as 'the designated area' around the Palace of Westminster under section 132 of the Act, unless prior notification has been received and approved.
We believe this is an unnecessary restriction on the ability of campaigners to express their views directly to some of the most important decision makers in our democracy. We are strongly opposed to the notification period requirement by the new law. The law now requires protesters to give six days clear notice of any demonstration to the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police. This provision would prevent campaigns from mobilising at short notice in order to respond to a news development or in response to a parliamentary or procedural development (such as a private notice question in the House of Commons or an adjournment debate).
We have also been looking at two other provisions of SOCPA:
- harassment intended to deter lawful activities
- harassment of a person in their home
Concerns amongst campaigners relate to the potential use of the harassment provisions, particularly in relation to email campaigns or pickets that urge consumer boycotts or that urge a body to change a policy or decision. As well as corporate boycotts many campaigns obviously focus on trying to change the decisions or policies of a public agency.
In July 2009 clause 32 of the new Constitutional Reform and Governance Bill provided for (which basically means, the Government is proposing) repeal of sections 132 to 138. At the time of writing the legislation is still at 'Bill' stage, which means that it has not yet law. As with any Bill, it may well be revised before being made law, or even thrown out by the House of Commons or House of Lords. Campaign Central will be updated as soon as there is more news.
