The Government is promoting a bill that would introduce significant restrictions on public gatherings and protests of citizens, including the possibility of banning them altogether.
Last Friday, the Ministry of Justice and Public Order officially announced the launch of a public consultation on the bill, titled “The Public Gatherings and Parades Law of 2024”.
The public consultation is expected to focus on the strict provisions of this bill.
It is indicative that Article 8 of this legislation provides for the possibility of the Council of Ministers to issue a decree banning parades or gatherings if it is deemed that the existence of the Republic is threatened and that any restrictive measures that may be envisaged cannot guarantee security.
It is also envisaged that the competent Authority or the Minister, as the case may be, may impose restrictions in specific cases.
As explained in the summary announcement for the aforementioned legislation, “the restrictions that may be imposed concern, among others, the route of the parade or gathering, the time or place of the parade or gathering, or the occupation of only part of the roadway or other public open unenclosed space, or the prohibition of passage or entry into any public space, or the non-obstruction of traffic and access to public services, public utilities or hospitals (Article 6 of the bill). In addition, offenses (punishable only with a fine) are provided for in case of non-compliance with the imposed restrictions”.
In addition, there is a provision for those who participate in gatherings and conceal their faces.
Under Article 11 of the bill, a person who participates in demonstrations and covers his or her face in such a way that he or she cannot be identified will face not only a heavy fine but will also be subject to imprisonment.
The article of the bill in question states verbatim: “A person who participates in a parade or gathering and conceals his or her face in any way, so that it cannot be recognized, without justification, the burden of proof of which he or she bears, is deemed to conceal it for the purpose of committing an offense and is guilty of a misdemeanor and, if convicted, is liable to imprisonment not exceeding two years or to a fine not exceeding €4,000 or both”.
