Rights groups condemn UK court decision upholding Palestine Action ban
Human rights organizations and civil liberties advocates have criticized a UK Court of Appeal ruling that upheld the government's decision to ban Palestine Action as a terrorist organization.
The court overturned an earlier High Court judgment that found the ban violated the right to protest. Lady Chief Justice Sue Carr stated that it was “not a sustainable proposition” to describe Palestine Action as a non-violent organization.
Amnesty calls ban a misuse of terrorism laws
Amnesty International UK said the ruling does not change its position that the proscription represents an inappropriate use of counter-terrorism legislation.
Tom Southerden, the organization’s legal program director, argued that treating direct-action protest as terrorism is disproportionate and warned that the decision further restricts the right to protest in the UK. He urged the government to withdraw the ban and reverse measures limiting public demonstrations.
Concerns over impact on civil liberties
Liberty, a UK civil rights group, also expressed disappointment with the judgment. Director Akiko Hart said the ruling risks expanding the use of terrorism laws against non-terrorist organizations, activists and political opponents in the future.
She called for reforms to the legal definition of terrorism to ensure public security can be protected without undermining fundamental rights and freedoms.
Thousands of arrests reported
According to local media reports, around 3,000 arrests have been linked to support for Palestine Action since the organization was banned in July last year, highlighting the growing controversy surrounding the government's use of counter-terrorism powers.
Source:AA
