The government is due to present proposals today to introduce stricter rules on demonstrations in order to prevent unrest in connection with the United Nations Climate Summit COP15, which is due to take place in Copenhagen in December, according to Information.

Among other things, the government plans to tighten the rules on habeas corpus, allowing the police to administratively detain demonstrators for longer periods, provide for prison sentences for those who hinder the police in their work and to introduce tougher action on vandalism.

“We are facing a summit at which we know that hardcore, professional troublemakers will be present with the sole purpose of causing trouble and wrecking things. We do not want the summit to deteriorate into street battles and we are now giving the police tools to avoid this,” Liberal Justice Spokesman Kim Andersen tells Information.

Lawyers: Unfortunate
The changes in the law, however, will also remain in effect after the summit, something that the chairman of the Association of Appointed Solicitors condemns, saying that the government is using the summit as an excuse to tighten laws in general.

“It’s unfortunate - particularly because there is nothing at all the indicates that stricter sentences prevent people from causing trouble,” he says adding that he fears that the moves will end up hitting a lot more people than the hard core people that the government is trying to stem.

http://politiken.dk/newsinenglish/article811972.ece