Slowly but surely, a state can repress its people. Why is the UK channelling Viktor Orbán’s Hungary? |
I saw, at first hand, the slow erosion of the rule of law in Hungary. It began not with a single shocking act but with quiet legal changes that narrowed space for dissent; each step justified as reasonable or necessary, until suddenly, democracy itself felt like a performance rather than a reality. Watching current developments in the UK, it’s impossible not to feel an uneasy sense of deja vu.
Over the past few years, Britain has introduced a number of laws that have drastically curtailed the right to protest. The Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 and the Public Order Act 2023 grant police sweeping powers to restrict demonstrations, criminalise peaceful tactics and arrest people on vague grounds that they may have caused serious disruption or unease. Hundreds of arrests have followed, including for slow marching, linking arms, or carrying protest equipment. Many of those arrested have faced prosecution, with courts handing down fines, and in some cases, lengthy imprisonment for peaceful protest activities, reinforcing the chilling effect of these laws.
Officials say these measures are about balance and public order. But the balance has tipped towards control. Protesters and legal observers alike describe confusion about what is lawful, inconsistent police instructions and arbitrary arrests, even when organisers have coordinated with the police in advance. Activists are........