Today’s Court ruling that saw modest sentence reductions for only six of 16 climate protesters further highlights why the UK government must urgently review its draconian crackdown on peaceful protest, Global Witness says
After a two-day hearing in January, the Court today announced its ruling to uphold most of the harsh sentences of the ‘Walney 16’, jailing the group for a combined total of 35 years (originally 41) for peaceful protest.
Global Witness, which monitors attacks on land and environmental defenders globally, said that new protest laws had resulted in the individuals receiving excessive punishments for protesting climate breakdown, despite six appellants having their sentences reduced.
Hanna Hindstrom, Global Witness Senior Investigator said:
“Today’s ruling will be disappointing for the ‘Walney 16’ and is yet another reminder of the UK’s increasingly repressive stance on peaceful protest.
“Labour should immediately review the draconian anti-protest laws enacted by the previous government, laws rightly labelled a ‘major threat to democracy and human rights’ by a UN expert.
“The UK’s crackdown is part of a sickening trend around the world where those on the frontline of environmental defence are paying the price. Whether it is protest criminalisation in the UK or Amazonian defenders being targeted, states must address the root causes for protest rather than repressing those brave enough to speak up.”
Global Witness highlighted how the UK is at risk of becoming one of the world’s most repressive governments when it comes to policing climate protest, arresting campaigners at three times the global average.
Among those seeking appeal were five protesters handed record jail terms of four to five years each in 2024 for participating in a zoom call to discuss civil disobedience, all of which had their sentences reduced by 1 – 1.5 years each.
Other appellants include two protesters jailed for throwing soup at the glass covering of a Van Gogh painting, five people jailed for scaling the gantry of the M25 and four others sentenced for digging tunnels near an oil terminal.
The ruling comes amid the UK government facing criticism for seemingly abandoning its climate commitments and its failure to introduce a lawful climate plan under the Climate Change Act.
UN expert Michel Forst attended one trial of climate protesters last year, condemning the sentence as “beyond comprehension” and expressed alarm at the “increasingly severe” crackdowns on the right to protest in the UK.
Lawyers for the protesters, backed by campaign groups Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth, argued that the sentences were disproportionate and violate the UK’s obligations under human rights law, including articles 10 and 11 of the European Convention on Human Rights and article 3(8) of the Aarhus Convention.
