UK: Court draws ‘line in the sand’ against misuse of terrorism powers
Amnesty International UK has welcomed today’s High Court judgment declaring the Government’s proscription of Palestine Action under terrorism legislation unlawful – a vital affirmation of the right to protest at a time when it has been under sustained and deliberate attack.
The Court was clear: the Home Secretary can’t reach for the nuclear option simply because it makes policing easier. Using proscription to criminalise people’s expressions of support or to hand police sweeping disruption powers was never what the policy allowed. The Court also found that the proscription resulted in a very significant and unjustified interference with freedom of expression and freedom of peaceful assembly (Articles 10 and 11 ECHR).
Kerry Moscogiuri, Amnesty International UK’s Chief Executive, said:
“Today’s ruling is a crucial defence of the right to protest at a time when it has been under sustained and deliberate attack.
“The High Court decision sends a clear message: the Government cannot simply reach for sweeping counterterrorism powers for its convenience, to suppress dissent and hand police more powers. Leaving such powers unchecked would keep the door wide open for future governments to wield this excessively sweeping legal framework in ever more draconian ways.”
