UK Court Rules Palestine Action Ban Unlawful

High Court Ruling Vacates UK Government’s Designation of Pro-Palestinian Group as ‘Terrorist Organisation’

A High Court ruling in London has declared the UK government’s decision to designate a pro-Palestinian campaign group, Palestine Action, as a “terrorist organisation” unlawful. The court’s verdict was welcomed by human rights groups.

In July last year, the UK government designated Palestine Action, which had protested against Israel’s actions in Gaza and the UK’s support for Israel, under the Terrorism Act 2000. The Labour government led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the group as a “national security threat” and placed it on par with armed groups such as al-Qaeda and ISIL (ISIS).

The court’s ruling states that the decision to proscribe Palestine Action was disproportionate. The High Court has struck down the British government’s proscription against the group, allowing its members to continue their activities without fear of prosecution.

According to a statement by Defend Our Juries, a campaign group supporting Palestine Action, 2,787 people have been arrested for holding signs in silent vigils across the UK since the ban was imposed. The court’s ruling has deemed these arrests unlawful, and seven individuals charged with Section 12 (Terrorism Act 2000) offences will also have their arrests deemed unlawful.

The Director of Public Prosecutions will now need to decide whether to discontinue prosecutions against those already arrested or continue pending appeal. The Metropolitan police have indicated that they will no longer arrest people for holding placards, but further arrests may occur if the government appeals the verdict.

Members of Palestine Action who have engaged in direct action, such as breaking into arms factories or disrupting supply chains, will still face prosecution for related crimes.

Source: Al Jazeera