CRC concluding observations 2023, paragraph 27

UN recommendation

Plain English recommendation

Government should: (a) Do more to protect children’s right to freedom of association and peaceful assembly, including by removing parts of the Police Crime Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 and Public Order Bill that make it harder for children to take part in protests; (b) Strengthen measures to prevent the use of acoustic devices to disperse public gatherings of children (so-called “mosquito devices”), in line with the Committee’s previous recommendations; (c) Ensure that children are not threatened for exercising their right to freedom of association and peaceful assembly, including for their involvement in climate activism.


Original UN recommendation

Noting with concern that the Police Crime Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 and the Public Order Bill may restrict a child’s right to freedom of association and peaceful assembly, the Committee recommends that the State party: (a) Strengthen children’s right to freedom of association and peaceful assembly, including by repealing measures in the Police Crime Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 and removing provisions in the Public Order Bill which limit children’s rights to participate in protests; (b) Strengthen measures to prevent the use of acoustic devices to disperse public gatherings of children (so-called “mosquito devices”), in line with the Committee’s previous recommendations; (c) Ensure that children are not threatened for exercising their right to freedom of association and peaceful assembly, including for their involvement in climate activism.

Date of UN examination

18/05/2023

UN article number

7, 8, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17

Last updated on 30/05/2024