Today the UK joins 39 other countries rated ‘obstructed’. What has changed in the UK – historically regarded as one of the most stable democracies – to warrant this downgrade?
There are no quick fixes to remedy the state of civic space in the UK. But if this downward trend is to be reversed, the government needs to shelve the Public Order Bill, repeal measures on protest in the Policing Act and change the tone of their damaging narrative. about protesters and campaigners.