Lawyers and MPs expressed reservations on Wednesday over proposed legislation to restrict the right to protest, however the police and state bodies said it was a good idea, while masqueraded demonstrators said it was “a joke” and threatened further measures.

Protesters gathered outside parliament in carnival costumes to express their opposition to discussions in the House legal committee to restrict the right of groups to protest and to forbid the covering of faces.

Organising group ‘Afoa’ – meaning ‘without fear’ – said discussions were a joke and called on the MPs to reject the proposed bill.

Presenting the bill, justice ministry representative Fedra Gregoriou said it aimed at modernising legislation in place since before the 1960s.

Gregoriou said the bill aimed at informing the authorities about scheduled demonstrations a week before they are held, however this would not apply for spontaneous protests.

Furthermore, the police would have to appoint an officer to be in contact with the organisers.

The police would then be able to impose restrictions wherever it deemed necessary, taking into account the number of participants, the venue, the risk factor, traffic considerations and any simultaneous events in the same area, as well as conduct during previous demonstrations.

Gregoriou said European Court of Human Rights rulings had been taken into account when drafting the bill, which would allow action for the dissolution of protests if they turned violent.

The bill also includes three criminal offences, namely instigating violence, keeping the face covered and remaining at the site after a protest is dissolved.

Bar Association representative Elias Stefanou expressed reservations over the bill, saying it allowed police officers to abuse power and that parts of the bill were vague.

Both Gregoriou and the Law Office representative said that, according to the UN Human Rights Committee, covering one’s face was a form of expression and anonymity should be respected.

Police representatives said they were in favour of the bill and complained about the protestors outside the parliament.

Energo movement representative Lambros Ioannou said protests were the only thing left for the people to express their objections and that one should be careful regulating this fundamental right.

Chairman of the committee Disy MP Nikos Tornaritis said the aim was not to create a police state and called on all present to submit their views in writing.

Akel MP Aristos Damianou said efforts were being made to amend a legislation that wasn’t being utilised to its full extent in the first place.

Furthermore, Akel MP Giorgos Koukoumas said the state should not only not restrict demonstrations but should facilitate them.