Copenhagen to Block Speech and Assembly

Translated from original

Climate Organizations: “Trouble-maker legislation” scares demonstrators

New “trouble-maker legislation” is unnecessary and prevents people from using their democratic right to demonstrate, say climate organizations.

The government is playing double jeopardy when they on one hand donate 20 million Danish kroner to peaceful activists and on the other want to impose hard punishment on people who wish to speak up.

This is the opinion of the organization People’s Climate Action (PCA), founded in 2008 by the Danish Foreign Ministry in order to secure a peaceful and organized course with activists during the climate conference.

Today the Danish Minister of Justice, Brian Mikkelsen presents “trouble-maker legislation”, which will give the police more opportunities to make arrests and sentence demonstrators during the climate conference.

“It is deeply problematic if people are prevented from using their constitutional right to gather and speak freely. We fear that this is the result if the right to carry out administrative arrests is imposed,” says Lene Vennits, Head of Office of People’s Climate Action.

Up to 20,000 demonstrators from abroad


The government has already got a majority in parliament to implement the “trouble-maker legislation” during the COP 15 Climate Conference in Copenhagen from the 8th to the 17th of December.
 It is expected that between 10.000 and 20,000 representatives from NGO’s from all over the world will come to the Danish capital to demonstrate for a wide and constructive climate deal.

 Minister of Justice, Brian Mikkelsen (Conservative Party) fears that activists will prevent the police from doing their job. The “trouble-maker legislation” will therefore provide the police with the opportunity to imprison activists for 40 days rather than fining them.

PCA: The government acts two-faced


Lene Vennits, Head of Office of People's Climate Action sees the government’s actions as paradoxical: On one hand they have provided financial support to citizen-oriented activities such as demonstrations and on the other hand, they now introduce legislation that sends a message that citizens are not welcome at demonstrations or activities during the COP15. 

"The government has given us 20 million kroner, which we have passed to a wide range of projects to engage people in climate change activities. It is deeply problematic that ordinary citizens risk being branded as troublemakers because they want to participate in activities regarding the climate," says Lene Vennits. 

She believes that activists from abroad will behave peacefully and that they only want to ensure a clear message of support to a fair climate agreement.


MS will signal confidence 


Mellemfolkeligt Samvirke (MS) are, together with PCA and several other organizations, organizing the major demonstration during the climate summit on the 12th of December. 

Communications Manager Vibeke Vinther from Mellemfolkeligt Samvirke fears that the government's legislation will lead to a “self-fulfilling prophecy" because it signals distrust.

"There is already legislation in place in order to penalize people in illegal demonstrations. Let us stick to that and ensure that it will be peaceful. And let us be friendly toward the people who come and want to express their democratic views," says the communications manager.