14 January 2008 - The violent treatment of Parliament Square protester Brian Haw at a peaceful demonstration on Saturday is yet more proof that the Government is failing to safeguard the civil liberties of UK citizens, the Green MEP for the South East said today.

Caroline Lucas MEP has written a letter of complaint to Home Secretary Jacqui Smith to condemn the police brutality witnessed at the demonstration near Downing Street at the weekend, where Mr Haw - winner of the Channel 4 Political Personality of the Year Award 2007 and recognisable to many for his anti-war camp outside Parliament – was hit in the face with his own camera by a ‘territorial support’ police officer.

The violent unprovoked incident took place as Mr Haw filmed the Freedom to Protest Assembly, which was calling for public freedom to protest and rallying against the repressive terms of the controversial Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005. He was left bloodied and shaken, with a deep cut to his face, after an officer lunged at him to try to prevent him from filming.

Mr Haw has now been released, having been charged only with a minor public order offence under Section 4 of SOCPA although according to Mr Haw, he endured beatings and humiliation while being held at Belgravia police station. The terms of SOCPA are currently under consultation.

Dr Lucas said: ”I utterly condemn the aggressive mishandling of Brian Haw during Saturday’s demonstration, and his subsequent treatment while in the custody of police. He is a passionate and peaceful campaigner, and a popular hero following his outstanding efforts to publicly oppose the Iraq war.

“This incident provides yet more proof that police actions taken under the terms of SOCPA are putting a stranglehold on civil liberties and threatening the right to gather in peaceful protest. It is a sad day for this country when the face of modern democracy is frightened and bloodied and peering out of a police van on a Saturday afternoon.

“Mr Haw’s assault is one of many that have taken place against peaceful protesters within the 1km exclusion zone created by sections 132-138 of SOCPA. These oppressive restrictions on free protest contravene the right to freedom of assembly under the European Convention on Human Rights, and on a number of occasions have led to the appalling treatment of some protesters who the Government has deemed to be ‘unauthorised’.”

She concluded: ”I wholeheartedly support the right to peaceful protest and call on the Government to initiate a full and independent investigation into Saturday’s events. I also urge ministers to challenge the terms of SOCPA and prevent any further abuse of police power before the deadline for consultation ends on January 17th."

ENDS