{"id":354825,"date":"2025-08-18T18:48:12","date_gmt":"2025-08-18T18:48:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/354825\/"},"modified":"2025-08-18T18:48:12","modified_gmt":"2025-08-18T18:48:12","slug":"state-department-free-speech-religious-liberty-under-attack-in-united-kingdom","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/354825\/","title":{"rendered":"State Department: free speech, religious liberty under attack in United Kingdom\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"

The US flagged a worsening human rights situation in the United Kingdom in an Aug. 13 State Department report<\/a>, citing concerns about restrictions on freedom of expression and religious liberty.<\/p>\n

The department\u2019s \u201c2024 Country Reports of Human Rights Practices\u201d said the UK imposed \u201cserious restrictions on freedom of expression\u201d in 2024, including criminal and civil penalties that limit speech.\u00a0<\/p>\n

One case highlighted was that of Adam Smith-Connor, who was convicted in October 2024 for silently praying across the street from an abortion facility in Bournemouth, Dorset. A court determined that he breached a local \u201csafe zone\u201d law and fined him \u00a39,000, CatholicVote reported<\/a>.<\/p>\n

These \u201cbuffer zone\u201d laws ban any attempt to \u201cinfluence\u201d around abortion facilities, according<\/a> to Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) International. Smith-Connor is appealing the decision with ADF International\u2019s support. His hearing was scheduled<\/a> for July 28, but no ruling has been reported.<\/p>\n

US Vice President JD Vance raised Smith-Connor\u2019s case at the Munich Security Conference in February, calling<\/a> the buffer zone law \u201cbadly written.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Vance said it reflected a broader trend in the UK. He noted that in October 2024, Scottish residents received official letters warning that even private prayer inside their homes<\/a> could be considered illegal within designated \u201csafe access zones.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

The report also flagged the UK\u2019s Online Safety Act, which took effect in 2024.\u00a0<\/p>\n

It expands the authority of the UK Office of Communications over American media and technology companies with large UK audiences. Experts warn it could force platforms to weaken encryption and compromise user privacy, the report said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

In Scotland, the April 2024 Hate Crime and Public Order Act criminalizes \u201cstirring up hatred\u201d through speech or online posts, with penalties of up to seven years in prison, the report said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

ADF International\u2019s London legal counsel, Lorcan Price, called the report a sobering warning.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s plain to see that the censorship crisis is worsening in the UK,\u201d Price said, \u201cfrom citizens being arrested and prosecuted just for praying in their heads, to the Online Safety Act clamping down on free expression online.\u201d<\/p>\n

He welcomed US attention to the issue, while \u201cmore and more Brits speak out in defence of our hard-fought freedom of speech.\u201d<\/p>\n

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