The Trump administration has formally accused the UK of human rights backsliding in an annual State Department report. The assessment criticized Britain for increased antisemitic violence and growing restrictions on free speech over the past year.
The report flagged "serious restrictions" on freedom of expression, particularly targeting laws limiting speech around abortion clinics. Officials described "safe access zones" as curbing expression, including silent protests and prayer.
Specific legal cases highlighted
The report cited the case of Adam Smith-Connor, a 51-year-old physiotherapist and Army veteran. He was found guilty last year of failing to comply with a public space protection order at an abortion clinic in Bournemouth in November 2022, despite denying he had silently prayed there.
According to the BBC, another case involved Livia Tossici-Bolt, who was convicted for holding a sign reading "Here to talk, if you want" outside the same Bournemouth clinic. Scotland implemented 200-metre buffer zones in September 2024, while England and Wales introduced 150-metre zones in October 2024.
Government response and broader context
The report stated that following the 2024 Southport attack, government officials "repeatedly intervened to chill speech". Three girls were killed by 18-year-old Axel Rudakubana at a Taylor Swift dance class, with subsequent misinformation claiming the attacker was an asylum seeker.
A UK government spokesperson defended the measures: "Free speech is vital for democracy around the world, including here in the UK and we are proud to uphold freedoms whilst keeping our citizens safe."
Previous diplomatic criticism
Vice President JD Vance had earlier criticized the UK over the Smith-Connor case at the Munich Security Conference in February. He claimed the "basic liberties of religious Britons, in particular" are under threat.
Vance described the case as charging someone "with the heinous crime of standing 50 metres from an abortion clinic and silently praying for three minutes, not obstructing anyone, not interacting with anyone". The report also criticized human rights conditions in Germany and France.
However, the assessment acknowledged: "The government sometimes took credible steps to identify and punish officials who committed human rights abuses, but prosecution and punishment for such abuses was inconsistent." The report found the Government "effectively" enforced laws around freedom of association and workers' rights.
Sources used: "PA Media", "BBC" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
