Liberty (National Council for Civil Liberties)

#UK an independent investigation by Liberty Investigates revealed troublesome crackdown on pro-palestinian activism at UK unversities. The findings of the investigation coincide with allegations of violations of the right to freedom of assembly and with my own research conducted last year, from which recommendations sent to universities emerged (link below). I have communicated with several universities in the country, and although they claim to respect freedom of expression, association and assembly, I have noticed that their internal regulations are not completely aligned with international standards and their practices not only do not include sufficient spaces for plural dialogue and collective decision-making, but they also appear not to guarantee due process for students. https://lnkd.in/e2-KjjRq Recommendations sent to universtities: https://lnkd.in/ec7FiK6U

Liberty Investigates and Sky News uncovered that at least 28 universities have investigated as many as 113 students and staff in connection with their pro-Palestine protest activity.? ? The investigation found instances of universities reporting non-violent protesters to the police, including sharing student’s data and images, and in some cases collaborating with private surveillance firms This is deeply concerning. From opposing apartheid to demanding their universities divest from harmful industries, protest has ALWAYS been a way for students to demand change. The right to protest on campus MUST be protected ??

?? We have reached a settlement in our judicial review claim against the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) and the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) on the global positioning system (GPS) knife crime tagging programme. You can see our CEO Timi Okuwa talk about the case on ITV News tonight at 6pm in London, and at 7pm and 10pm nationally. Read the full story: https://lnkd.in/eTt5vB-K MOPAC data shows that Black people were nearly twice as likely (87% more likely) to be selected for the electronic monitoring scheme than white people. This settlement seeks to eliminate that bias and discrimination and was brought with the support of Matrix Chambers and Liberty. The settlement includes a rapid review of the programme to address concerns of racial disproportionality to ensure fair and unbiased decision-making in the selection of those for tagging. You can find out more about the case on our website: https://lnkd.in/epZMybms #JudicialReview #PoliceAccountability #MOPAC #CriminalJustice #SocialJustice #RacialEquality #GPSMonitoring

?? We're proud to announce that Liberty lawyer Katy Watts has been named one of Big Issue's Top 100 Changemakers of 2025! Katy has been at the forefront of defending human rights in the UK. Last year, she led our landmark legal challenge against Government anti-protest laws. In 2023, former Conservative Home Secretary Suella Braverman completely ignored the will of Parliament when she edited the point at which police can impose conditions on a protest - from ‘serious disruption’ to ‘more than minor’. This gave police almost unlimited powers to shut down protests. Following Liberty's legal challenge, the High Court ruled this move unlawful in May 2024, a huge win for democracy. In December, the Labour Government appealed the ruling, and Katy stood up to #DefendDemocracy once again. We're now waiting for judgment from the courts. Congratulations to Katy on this amazing achievement! More here: https://lnkd.in/e5Bcr4bM

EXCITING NEW VACANCY: GRANTS OFFICER (PART TIME) Liberty is looking for a Grants Officer to join our Philanthropy Team. This is an exciting delivery role and is responsible for grant administration and reporting across our portfolio of grant funders. You will also work across the organisation to develop compelling, tailored asks to a wide range of funders. The successful candidate will be organized and self-motivated, with a focus on partnership working and building strong relationships. You will also be a skilled writer, who enjoys producing applications and reports and being responsible for end-to-end grant reporting. This is a part time role, suitable for a candidate who is interested in working between 3 and 4 days per week. We aim to encourage people from all backgrounds to work with us and are particularly interested in hearing from people from minority backgrounds and all socio-economic sections of society.? Closing Date: 9AM Monday 17 February 2025 For more information and details on how to apply, please visit our website: https://lnkd.in/eykBiJSC

As 2024 comes to a close, here’s a look back at what we’ve achieved together this year?? ?We took the Government to court twice to #DefendDemocracy and fight anti-protest laws that were made unlawfully. ?? Our legal challenge forced Government to introduce safeguards to protect confidential journalistic material from UK spy agencies—a HUGE victory for press freedom in the UK. ?? We provided communities with resources to know their protest rights, ensuring that people can mobilise and make their voices heard. ?? Our groundbreaking report with Demos revealed the public’s true opinion on protest: 86% of people believe that everyone has the right to voice their opinion and raise awareness on issues. ??? We informed thousands of people on new voter ID laws during the General Election ??? Our independent investigative journalism unit, Liberty Investigates, uncovered shocking stories of human rights abuses faced by asylum seekers and reported on facial recognition tech. ???? We empowered students across the UK to know their protest rights on-campus and challenge university disciplinaries. ???? We worked with thousands of our members and supporters and hundreds of civil society organisations to make the case against the Rwanda Bill. ?? We supported the campaign against the Met Police’s racist Gangs Matrix, assisting disproportionally targeted communities to fight for justice before all data is erased in Feb 2025. ??? We influenced key policy positions, driving the conversation on crucial human rights issues and ensuring that decision-makers prioritise equality, justice, and freedom. Without your support, this would not have been possible. But the work is never done. Next year, we’ll continue challenging injustices, defending freedoms, and standing up to power. SEE YOU IN 2025 ?

Yesterday we joined Amnesty and Greenpeace outside of the Home Office, demanding the Home Secretary protect the right to protest. We handed in a 200,000 signature-strong petition that calls on the Yvette Cooper to scrap anti-protest legislation introduced by previous governments. More here: https://lnkd.in/d_aQ9EtU

EXCITING NEW VACANCY: POLICY & CAMPAIGNS OFFICER Liberty is looking for an exceptional Policy & Campaigns Officer. This position, which sits in the Policy & Campaigns team, plays a key role in developing and implementing Liberty’s policy and campaigning priorities: undertaking high quality research, influencing decision makers, building coalitions, producing policy and campaign materials, providing policy input to strategic litigation, and building public and political support for Liberty’s work. We are seeking someone who holds Liberty’s values and ambitions close to their heart, as we work to ensure everyone in the United Kingdom is treated fairly, with dignity and respect. This is a key role in securing the long-term policy change needed to protect the human rights and civil liberties of everyone who lives in the UK. Closing Date: Midnight Sunday 24 November 2024 For more information and details on how to apply, please visit our website: https://lnkd.in/eykBiJSC

EXCITING NEW VACANCY: INFRASTRUCTURE MANAGER (12 MONTH TC) Liberty is seeking an Infrastructure Manager to undertake a number of interesting short-term projects for a fixed term of 12 months to improve the efficiency of its operations. The Infrastructure Manager will work closely with the Head of HR & Operations, Finance and Operations Director and external contacts to critically review several support systems and databases and recommend improved infrastructure at Liberty. Liberty fully embraces flexible working and is committed to employee development.?We aim to encourage people from all backgrounds to work with us and are particularly interested in hearing from people from minority backgrounds and all socio-economic sections of society. Closing date: 5PM Monday 4 November 2024 For more information and details on how to apply, please visit our website: https://lnkd.in/ePhYMbzq

EXCITING NEW VACANCY: OPERATIONS ASSISTANT Liberty is seeking an Operations Assistant. The postholder will work closely with the Head of HR & Operations to facilitate the smooth running of Liberty’s office. This is an exciting, broad and varied role with opportunities to gain experience in new areas such as office administration, facilities, IT, health and safety as well as event planning. Liberty fully embraces flexible working and is committed to employee development.?We aim to encourage people from all backgrounds to work with us and are particularly interested in hearing from people from historically underrepresented groups. Closing date: 5PM Monday 11 November 2024 For more information and details on how to apply, please visit our website: https://lnkd.in/ePhYMbzq