Legal observers have no formal legal status or privileges, but the police are often aware of their role, and legal observers can act as a deterrent to police misconduct. Legal observers can be identified by actions by their orange Hi-Viz vests with the inscription “Legal Observer”. Contact the Independent Network of Legal Observers if your group is planning an action that may require legal observers – please try to notify as soon as possible, preferably at least two weeks. Legal observers have no special legal status and rarely receive special treatment, but their role is recognised by the UN Human Rights Committee, their presence is considered part of the right to peaceful assembly and they ensure that the right to protest is respected, as protected by Articles 10 and 11 of the European Convention on Human Rights. In some cases, the use of legal observers may be required by law or a court to ensure the smooth running of an event. In these cases, legal observers may be provided by a foreign government or appointed by the court to reduce the risk of bias. Legal observers generally adhere to a clear code of conduct. They are not physically involved and aim to remain non-confrontational and law-abiding at all times. Each incident is clearly logged with as much information as possible so that the legal observer`s notes can then be used in criminal or civil proceedings, and the legal observer tries to work with all parties involved to ensure the smooth running of an event. The presence of legal observers is often sufficient to ensure that everything goes smoothly, as people are less likely to commit misconduct if they know their actions will be recorded.
Police are generally aware of the role of legal observers and, therefore, legal observers can have a deterrent effect on police misconduct. They are also an important support for protesters, as the information they gather is passed on to legal support and can be used in court. If you`ve ever attended a protest, you`ve probably seen legal observers. You`ll usually see them in safety vests and take notes on what`s going on. However, many people don`t necessarily know how important this role is or what current threats legal observers see. The police may ask questions about the role of legal observers. There is no particular reason why you need to explain your role or tell them if you have a legal background or not. You can state that you are there to supervise the work of the police, that you have been trained as a legal observer, but that you are not (as is sometimes claimed) “promoting business” on behalf of certain law firms. In the United States, the National Lawyers Guild (NLG) owns trademarks only for the words “legal observer”[2] and “legal observer” on a green background. The National Lawyers Guild Legal Observer certification program was launched in New York City in 1968 in response to protests at Columbia University and anti-war and civil rights protests throughout the city. That same year, the guild`s students organized to defend people who were drawn into mass arrests at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. The NLG Legal Observer certification program requires training of legal observers and is part of a comprehensive legal aid system designed to enable people to express their political opinions as fully as possible without unconstitutional or police interference and with the least possible consequences of the criminal justice system.
Legal observers are trained and directed by lawyers from the National Lawyer Guild. The presence of legal observers can have a deterrent effect on unconstitutional behaviour by law enforcement during a demonstration. [3] It is also not surprising that the vast majority of legal observers who have recently been arrested and subjected to disproportionate intimidation, assault and violence belong to Black, Brown and racialized groups (“BBRG”, as the Black Legal Protest is called). Despite clearly marked safety vests and visible writing in notebooks, police responded to basic surveillance with the assault. Legal observers are independent of the demonstration and do not participate as activists. They support protesters by: When monitoring the police, legal observers can gather evidence that can then be used in court if protesters are unjustly persecuted or want to take action against the police. This may include reasons for arrest (if a person does not receive the correct information, they may make the arrest illegal), the use of force, and the search for witnesses. Legal observers are on the lookout for problems.
They come forward when they believe wrongdoing is taking place, and they also help people manage interactions with police and government officials. In the case of an unauthorized march, for example, a legal observer will not intervene to prevent arrests, but will ensure that detainees are treated appropriately by police officers, and the legal observer may provide contact information to detainees so that they can obtain legal assistance. In this context, it is likely that legal observers will play an increasingly important role in the fight against police violence. The power is in the community, not in the prison state, and the more resources we have collectively, the better off we will be. Get involved: In recent weeks, legal observers have been arrested alongside protesters during the Kill the Bill protests. Although there is a risk of arrest for being a legal observer, the police`s behaviour towards them alongside journalists suggests a blatant disregard for the law. An attack on legal observers is an attack on the community organization that holds the police accountable. Legal observers are individuals, usually representatives of civil rights organizations, who participate in public demonstrations, protests and other activities when there is a risk of conflict between the public or activists and the police, security forces or other law enforcement agencies. The goal of legal observers is to monitor, record and report illegal or inappropriate behavior.
Legal or human rights observers act as independent third parties in the context of conflict-torn civil protest, observing police behaviour to hold police accountable for their actions. Legal observers can write incident reports on police violence and misconduct and then prepare reports. The use of video and fixed cameras, incident reports and audio recorders is common. [1] Legal observers also observe the use of stop and search, including the reasons why an individual or group is selected to stop and search, if police insist on obtaining personal information (either by threat or by the name of an object discovered during the search, such as a bank card), the presence of police videos or cameras, and whether police arrest and search for certain ethnic or social people. The groups seem to be focused.
