THE Council of Europe’s human rights commissioner urged MPs not to back proposed curbs to protest — as protests raged outside Parliament ahead of today’s debate on the “deeply authoritarian” policing Bill.

Ahead of the Commons debate, European rights tsar Dunja Mijatovic wrote to speakers of both the Commons and Lords urging members not to approve parts of the Bill relating to limiting protests. 

“I have increasingly had to address instances in which Council of Europe member states have tried to introduce restrictions on peaceful demonstrations, often implicitly driven by the desire of governments to minimise the possibility of dissent,” she wrote. 

“I am seriously concerned that, if the above-mentioned provisions were to be adopted, the UK would add to this worrying trend.

“In the light of this, I call on the members of both houses not to accept provisions of the Bill that would add further restrictions on peaceful demonstrations.”

If passed, the Police, Crime, Sentencing & Courts Bill would see officers handed sweeping powers to prevent, limit or impose restrictions on peaceful protests on the ground that they might be too noisy or cause “annoyance.” 

Those convicted of new offences detailed in the Bill could face fines and prison sentences.

Calls are mounting on PM Boris Johnson to throw out or water down proposals in the much criticised Bill.

Hundreds of protesters gathered outside Parliament today for an emergency demonstration against the Bill, now entering its final stages in the Commons before it goes back to the House of Lords.

MPs had tabled dozens of amendments, running to almost 130 pages, with hopes to defeat some of the most controversial elements of the Bill. 

Ministers have been facing growing opposition to the legislation, with even senior police speaking out at the weekend claiming the changes will subject officers to “even greater political pressure” and potentially lead to more violence.

Rights groups also urged MPs to oppose the “deeply authoritarian” Bill. 

Amnesty International UK’s interim chief Sacha Deshmukh branded the Bill a “calculated attack on our bedrock basic rights” that could “further entrench racism and discrimination in Britain policing.”

And campaign groups said today that a petition against “oppressive” measures proposed in the Bill had reached nearly 600,000 signatures. 

Liberty director Gracie Bradley said: “Opposition to the government’s dangerous proposals is growing in strength as people begin to understand how much this legislation would undermine fundamental rights.”