4 March 2021
Following the eruption of violence at a far-right protest in Dublin the Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) has said that guidelines for protesting safely during lockdown are now urgently needed. In a letter to the Minister for Justice, we reiterated that this would protect both the public and An Garda Síochána.
The right to protest does not include a right to violence, and ICCL condemns all use of violence at protests. However, peaceful protesters who attend protests which become violent still have a right to protest – so long as they themselves remain peaceful. This is a conundrum for both gardaí and the public, and it is made even more so by the absence of guidelines for protesters.
ICCL’s Head of Legal and Policy Doireann Ansbro said
“Saturday’s events have shown exactly why guidelines for safe and legal protest are needed. They could advise on the size of protests, social distancing and face coverings. This would protect people who wish to protest peacefully and safely, and it may also protect gardaí from those who intend to do neither.”
Rising tensions as a result of the extended lockdown can be seen across the country but particularly in the capital. While the majority of people have accepted that restrictions are necessary to stem the spread of Covid-19, there is a minority who do not agree. They have a right to express their views within the law but currently the law appears to ban all protests.
In the specific circumstances of the pandemic, additional restrictions on gatherings of people may be necessary, however other States have shown that protests can still be facilitated at this time by using appropriate safeguards. Indeed we have seen a number of safe and responsible strikes and protests in Ireland over recent months, where participants have limited the size of their protest, worn masks and practised social distancing.
Safe protest should be considered a legitimate excuse to leave home during the current and all future lockdowns. Guidelines on what constitutes safe protest are necessary for clarity and for consistency in the policing of protest.
At the very heart of democracy is the right to voice concerns, alternative views and dissent. This right takes on an even more fundamental importance when we consider the significant impact of public health restrictions on lives and livelihoods across Ireland. Guidelines must be produced immediately.
ENDS/
Read the ICCL letter to the Minister for Justice:
https://www.iccl.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/ICCL-letter-to-Justice-re-far-right-protests.pdf
The Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) is Ireland’s oldest independent human rights campaigning organisation. We monitor, educate and campaign to secure human rights for everyone in Ireland.
For comment: Executive Director Liam Herrick and Doireann Ansbro, Head of Legal and Policy
For media queries: sinead.nolan@iccl.ie