Philenews

Hoods Allowed in Protests: A Controversial New Law

Published January 23, 2026, 09:22
Hoods Allowed in Protests: A Controversial New Law

A recent bill concerning protests has sparked debate regarding freedom of expression and anonymity. The bill, initially passed by the government, was amended following advice from the OSCE, now allowing protesters to wear hoods. This change has been criticized by some, who argue that anonymity encourages illegal behavior and undermines the responsible exercise of free speech. The contrast with the current discussion about anonymity on the internet is highlighted, where user identification is considered important for combating misinformation and abuse. The criticism focuses on the fact that wearing a hood implies an intention to commit illegal acts and is inconsistent with the free and named expression that democracy should protect. A comparison is made with other forms of protest, such as nude demonstrations, to emphasize the unjustified legalization of hoods.