These bye-laws will specifically target pro-life groups and street evangelists.

These proposed bye-laws are a blatant attack on free speech. 

Freedom of assembly and freedom of expression are fundamental human rights – both protected under Articles 10 and 11 of the Human Rights Act.

And the Good Friday Agreement safeguards the civil rights and the religious liberties of everyone in the community, in particular, the right to freedom and expression of religion.

PUBLIC CONSULTATION 

Belfast Council is asking the public for their views on the scheme ahead of the bye-law being approved and rolled out across the City centre. The Public Consultation period is from 27th November 2023 to 4th March 2024

TAKE ACTION

RESPOND NOW to the Consultation and send a clear message to Belfast City Council that the rights to freedom of assembly and expression, and the religious liberties of everyone in the community, must be upheld.

The Consultation consists of a series of questions asking do you agree or disagree, and also gives you the opportunity to add your own comments.

Use the Guidance below to help you in your response.

The Consultaion is at Your Say Belfast 

GUIDANCE ON HOW TO RESPOND TO THE PUBLIC CONSULTATION

Question 1

To what extent do you agree or disagree that the council should introduce rules and regulations around the use of amplification devices and the display of promotional literature or other information (including the display of graphic imagery) in the city centre?

ANSWER : Definitely disagree

 Question 2

Please provide any additional comments in the space below.

ADD YOUR OWN COMMENTS AND IN YOUR OWN WORDS INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING POINTS:

These proposed bye-laws are a blatant attack on free speech.

Bye laws should only be considered as a last resort after a council has tried to address any particular issues through other means. Bye laws cannot be made where alternative legislative measures already exist. Bye laws should also be proportionate and reasonable.

These proposed bye-laws are not a measure of last resort because Belfast City Council has not tried to address any alleged issues through other means.

And legislation already exists – the Public Order Act - that can be used to address any alleged issues.

The Council's proposals are not proportionate and reasonable because they conflict with the rights to freedom of assembly and freedom of expression. These are fundamental human rights – both protected under Articles 10 and 11 of the Human Rights Act.

The Council's proposals also breach the Good Friday Agreement. In its section affirming the Human Rights of everyone in Northern Ireland, the Good Friday Agreement states, ‘The parties affirm their commitment to the mutual respect, the civil rights and the religious liberties of everyone in the community ...the parties affirm in particular ...the right to freedom and expression of religion’.

 Question 3

In the past 12 months have you used an amplification device in the city centre?

ANSWER : Yes or No as appropriate

 Question 4

In the past 12 months have you displayed promotional literature or other information (including the display of graphic imagery) in the city centre?

ANSWER : Yes or No as appropriate

 Question 5

What is your experience of the use of amplification devices in the city centre (i.e. speakers, public address system, loudspeaker, megaphone or any electronic device for the amplification of sound)? You may select more than one option.

ANSWER : Very Positive

 Question 6

Please explain your answer in the space below.

ADD YOUR OWN COMMENTS AND IN YOUR OWN WORDS INCLUDE:

Briefly explain any positive experiences you've had - eg. being uplifted from listening to the Word of God from Street Preachers, or being informated and educated on the humanity of unborn babies at Pro-Life Outreaches or events. You can also state that, regardless of whether you agree with them or not, you find it positive that people can exercise their fundamantal rights to freedom of speech and expression in public.

Question 7

What is your experience of the display of promotional literature or other information in the city centre (including the display of graphic imagery)? You may select more than one option.

ANSWER : Very Positive

 Please explain your answer in the space below.

ADD YOUR OWN COMMENTS AND IN YOUR OWN WORDS INCLUDE:

"Graphic Imagery" is a subjective term - based on the personal perspective of an individual person. There are often billboards and ads on sides of buses in Belfast City Centres highlighting issues like domestic abuse, or deaths casued by speeding, which use "graphic imagery". On the issue of abortion, I believe the distribution and display of pro-life imagery is vital in protecting unborn babies and their mothers. 

Question 9

To what extent do you agree or disagree that the council should introduce a permit scheme around the use of amplification devices in the city centre?

ANSWER : Definitely disagree

Question 10

Please provide any additional comments in the space below.

ADD YOUR OWN COMMENTS AND IN YOUR OWN WORDS INCLUDE:

The requirement of a permit conflicts with the human rights to freedom of assembly and freedom of expression (Articles 10 and 11 of the Human Rights Act), and the right to religious liberties (affirmed in the Good Friday Agreement). Such a scheme could also expose the Council to legal proceedings. which would ultimately have to be paid for by ratepayers.

Question 11

To what extent do you agree or disagree that the council should introduce a permit scheme around the display of promotional literature or other information in the city centre (including the display of graphic imagery)?

ANSWER : Definitely disagree

Question 12

Please provide any additional comments in the space below.

ADD YOUR OWN COMMENTS AND IN YOUR OWN WORDS INCLUDE:

The requirement of a permit conflicts with the human rights to freedom of assembly and freedom of expression (Articles 10 and 11 of the Human Rights Act), and the right to religious liberties (affirmed in the Good Friday Agreement). Such a scheme could also expose the Council to legal proceedings. which would ultimately have to be paid for by ratepayers.

Question 13

To what extent do you agree or disagree with the standard conditions listed within the proposed byelaws?

Permit is not transferable

ANSWER : Definitely disagree

Permit is valid for 1 year

ANSWER : Definitely disagree

 Permit not normally granted for 11pm - 11am

ANSWER : Definitely disagree

 Permit applies to specific location and duration

ANSWER : Definitely disagree

 Permit holder can only perform for max of 2 hours in specific location

ANSWER : Definitely disagree

 Permit holder can only perform for max of 1 hour in primary retail core

ANSWER : Definitely disagree

 The max performance time includes time spent setting up and packing up

ANSWER : Definitely disagree

 Permit holder must re-locate to a different place not within 100 metres of previous location

ANSWER : Definitely disagree

Question 14

Please provide any additional comments in the space below.

ADD YOUR OWN COMMENTS AND IN YOUR OWN WORDS INCLUDE: 

There should be no requirement for a permit. All the conditions listed conflict with the rights to freedom of assembly and freedom of expression (Articles 10 and 11 of the Human Rights Act), and the right to religious liberties (affirmed in the Good Friday Agreement). Imposing a time limit of between 11pm and 11am will impact upon churches, charities, etc that assist vulnerable people in the city - eg: the homeless or those suffering from addictions.

Question 15

To what extent do you agree or disagree that the council may designate areas in which specific types of instruments or amplification is prohibited?

ANSWER : Definitely disagree

Question 16

Please provide any additional comments in the space below.

ADD YOUR OWN COMMENTS AND IN YOUR OWN WORDS INCLUDE:

Designating areas where amplification is prohibited conflicts with the rights to freedom of assembly and freedom of expression. These are fundamental human rights – both protected under Articles 10 and 11 of the Human Rights Act. It is also hypocrital of the Council to impose these prohibitions on others, but excempt itself from any restrictions on using amplification devices.

Equality screening

As part of our legal obligations and commitment to equality, we've carried out a draft equality screening assessment of the proposed byelaws.

A link to the Equality Screening Assessment, which has considered the equality and good relations impacts relating to the proposed byelaws, is available in the "Key Documents" section or by clicking here.

Question 17

Please provide any comments in relation to equality of opportunity or good relations issues that you feel should be taken into account by the council in relation to the proposed byelaws.

ADD YOUR OWN COMMENTS AND IN YOUR OWN WORDS INCLUDE:

The Council's proposals breach the Good Friday Agreement, which states, ‘The parties affirm their commitment to the mutual respect, the civil rights and the religious liberties of everyone in the community ...the parties affirm in particular ...the right to freedom and expression of religion’.

There are many groups and organistions that use Belfast City Centre to promote / demonstrate their own particular religious or political views and causes. By their nature, these can be confrontational. The Council's proposed bye-laws could increase tensions between different groups if it appears the Council is discriminating between them by granting permits to one group but not another. The Council could then be responible for damaging good relations across the city, and indeed, across Northern Ireland. I request a full Equailty Impact Assessment.

Question 18

Are you responding as an individual (member of the public) or on behalf of a group or organisation?

ANSWER as appropriate

Question 19

About you (please tick all that apply)

ANSWER as appropriate

Demographic and monitoring questions

The questions 20 - 27 are optional.

You may answer (or not answer) according to your own preference

Go to Your Say Belfast to give your response to the Consultation.