The Covert Human Intelligence Sources (Criminal Conduct) Bill (CHIS) — described by campaigners as the “Spy Cops” Bill — is currently being rushed through Parliament and is due to be put to a vote this evening. I voted against the bill on its last reading and will do so again unless it is substantially amended.

Concerns regarding this bill have been discussed widely in recent days but it is worth restating some of the key reasons why there is such broad, growing, and impressive opposition across civil society. This alliance includes Liberty, Amnesty International, and other human rights organizations, trade unions, peace and climate justice campaigners, anti-racist groups, and many others who simply want the right to campaign on important causes without police infiltration.

These concerns include — but are not limited to — the CHIS Bill allowing state agents to commit crimes to stay undercover; no limit being placed on the type of crimes they can commit, which could include murder, torture, or sexual violence; allowing the committing of crimes to “prevent disorder” or maintain “economic well-being”; as well as the lack of a provision for innocent victims to get compensation and a lack of prior judicial authorization to commit a crime.