Reported at www.themandarin.com.au: A 2024 study highlights increasing patterns of criminalization and repression of climate and environmental protests globally, with Australia being noted for its high percentage of such protests while also facing restrictive laws.

The report indicates that peaceful protest actions, perceived by authorities as disruptive, are increasingly met with punitive measures that undermine the rights of environmental defenders.

While Australia is committed to international covenants recognizing freedom of assembly, the trend of enacting laws against protest activities reflects a shift toward penalizing those advocating for more decisive climate action.