Haroun Esmail
Political dissidents and civil rights groups have warned that a ban on face coverings at protests would put them and their families at risk.
The Crime and Policing Bill is in its second reading in the House of Lords, amid widespread controversy over proposals including a facial recognition database that would give police access to driving licence records.
One lesser-known aspect of the bill is a proposed ban on face coverings at protests. It would make it a criminal offence to wear a face covering in areas designated by police, carrying a maximum penalty of one month in prison, a £1,000 fine, or both.
Civil rights group Liberty has warned that the measure would infringe on the privacy of all UK protesters and put political dissidents from abroad at particular risk.
Lyle Barker, Liberty policy and campaigns officer, said: “Face coverings help people challenge injustice safely, without fear of negative consequences for themselves and their loved ones.
“This is particularly important for political dissidents who wear face coverings to protect their anonymity in the face of heightened risks of surveillance, harassment, and wider retaliation from the states they are protesting against.
“Anti-protest laws are already criminalising people for taking to the streets for causes they believe in. Any plan to ban face coverings at protests must safeguard the rights of marginalised communities – including political dissidents, religious minorities, and disabled people – to choose face coverings when they need them, so that everyone can speak out safely on issues that matter.”
Mohammad, 34, is a taxi driver from Leeds and a member of DAKOK, a Kurdish civil rights and diaspora advocacy group.
The organisation runs campaigns including litter picks and protests across the UK, highlighting issues such as police brutality, attacks on journalists, and corruption in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.
He warns that if this part of the bill is passed in its current form, it would pose a serious threat to the safety of DAKOK members and their families living in Kurdistan, as many members attend protests wearing face coverings.
Mohammad said: “This law will pose a very serious risk to the lives of activists and protesters. Some people in the United Kingdom may one day return to the region, or face deportation. This could seriously endanger their safety.
“Activists from America and Europe who have returned to Kurdistan have faced repercussions.
“Last year, one of our members attended a protest in London. Footage of him at the demonstration was shared on social media, and the very same day, members of his family were arrested by security forces.
“They were threatened that if he continued protesting in Britain, his family would face harsh consequences.”
‘Protest face covering ban’
Muhanad, 23, is a student involved with Manchester4Sudan, a group that raises awareness of the conflict in Sudan.
He said: “This will discourage people from protesting. Earlier this year, a member of our community from Newcastle was posting online criticising the Saudi Arabian government. When he travelled to Saudi Arabia for pilgrimage, he was arrested.
“We’ve seen similar cases involving Sudanese nationals who have spoken out against the against the United Arab Emirates’ involvement in the Sudan conflict — they too have faced arrest.
“If members of our community already face risks like this, we can only imagine what would happen if no one were allowed to wear a mask.
“If masks and face coverings are banned at demonstrations, it would pose a real threat to democracy and people’s participation in politics and political movements.”
Soran, 37, is an interpreter living in London. He is an ethnic Kurd from Iran and claimed asylum in the UK 18 years ago.
He regularly attends demonstrations against the Iranian regime. His name has been changed to protect his identity.
He said banning face coverings at protests poses real risks to the lives of Iranians and Kurds living in the UK.
“Some people come to the United Kingdom on a student visa. While they are here, they may join demonstrations against the regime. If they are filmed at a protest without a face covering, they risk being imprisoned by the regime when they return.
“During the Women, Life, Freedom protests in 2022, many people covered their faces due to the reprisals they or their families could have faced if the regime identified them.”
The Home Office was approached for comment on the concerns raised by activists and dissidents.
While it did not specifically address the proposed ban on face coverings at protests, it shared the following statement from Security Minister Dan Jarvis: “Instances of transnational repression are a threat to our national security and sovereignty, and seek to undermine the principles of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. This is unacceptable and will not be tolerated, irrespective of the perpetrating country.”
“The College of Policing has launched training and guidance for all 45 territorial police forces to help frontline officers identify state-directed crimes and support those affected by state threats.”
