Introduction
Recent trials of human rights defenders are held in a legal vacuum. There is no space for life, love, humanity and morality in courts.
Seven environmental defenders are on trial at Woolwich Crown Court for taking nonviolent civil resistance to demand that the UK government gets real about climate change and eliminates fuel poverty. The seven include a retired GP, an ecologist, as well as people who have experienced fuel poverty themselves. They stopped traffic on and around the M25 with Insulate Britain in Autumn 2021.
On 14 August 2025, the seven will be arguing in court that they cannot have a fair trial because the real perpetrators of crimes are not being investigated. We know what is happening to the planet, and what is happening to the most vulnerable citizens. No effective action has been taken within the UK courts or by the government to protect citizens from the effects of inequity and the destruction of nature. This has left environmental defenders no choice but to act more creatively in a last effort to protect ourselves, our children and our future.
Find out the arguments presented to court on 14 August.
Where is the human?
“We may win big, we may win small, we may lose everything. We can take whichever outcome. Important: stand where you must stand, be human there.” - Daniel Berrigan
It’s hard to keep this in sight when witnessing and experiencing court processes.
As an antidote, we share some deeply personal work in the ’life’ pages.
Nonviolence is deeply embedded in the personal.
The first piece of creative writing is a triptych of three poems written by Diana. The central poem is a story investigating the nature and purpose of peaceful activism.
Reverend Tim Hewes, although not a defendant in these particular trials, took part in the same motorway blocks. Included is an extract from his published prison diaries ‘Tuesday 13 December, HMP Wandsworth’.
BREAKING NEWS
On 23 July 2025, the International Court of Justice in the Hague issued a landmark Advisory Opinion that sets a new basis for international law in relation to climate change, based on reality rather than expediency. There is now an explicit linking of the international legal framework and the requirements for life.
Dr Warner has issued an additional statement to court in the light of the ICJ ruling as well as a more personal entry for this website.