Rich countries silencing climate protest while preaching about rights elsewhere, says study

Report says governments in global north increasingly using draconian measures while criticising similar tactics in global south

Wealthy, democratic countries in the global north are using harsh, vague and punitive measures to crack down on climate protests at the same time as criticising similar draconian tactics by authorities in the global south, according to a report.

A Climate Rights International report exposes the increasingly heavy-handed treatment of climate activists in Australia, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Sweden, the UK and the US.

Record prison sentences for non violent protest in several countries including the UK, Germany and the US.

Preemptive arrests and detention for those suspected of planning peaceful protests.

Draconian new laws passed to make the vast majority of peaceful protest illegal.

Measures to stop juries hearing about people's motivation for taking part in protests during court cases, which critics say fundamentally undermines the right to a fair trial.