The Court of Appeal has ruled the ban on Palestine Action lawful, overturning a previous High Court decision. This means over 3,000 individuals arrested since the ban could face prosecution, sparking anger and fear among protesters who view the ban as a "grave misuse of sweeping counter-terrorism powers."
The Court of Appeal has overturned a lower court's ruling, upholding the ban on Palestine Action under anti-terrorism laws. This decision reverses a previous finding that the proscription of the direct action group was unlawful, offering relief to the government amid ongoing civil disobedience campaigns.
The UK Court of Appeal will rule Monday on whether the government's proscription of Palestine Action as a "terrorist" group was lawful. The High Court previously found the ban unlawful, but the government appealed. Separately, four activists were sentenced as "terrorists" for criminal damage, drawing criticism.
Cathy Allen and Justin Kenrick are challenging their arrests for supporting Palestine Action in Scotland's High Court. They argue the proscription violates freedom of expression and assembly, potentially setting a precedent for the UK. Figures show a high number of terrorism charges linked to the group in Scotland.
Yvette Cooper's newspaper column justifying Palestine Action's proscription may have prejudiced a trial against six activists, prosecutors warned. Despite the warnings, the then-home secretary published the article, which defence lawyers argued was 'contemptuous reporting'.
Fahad Ansari says it was ‘chilling’ that police ‘equated him with his client’ after he was stopped on return from family holiday in IrelandA lawyer who filed Hamas’s challenge to proscription in the UK was recorded by police as being a member of the banned group, “equating him with his client”.On a risk assessment form, a detective inspector, who authorised the detention of Fahad Ansari under the Terrorism Act on his return from a family holiday in Ireland, wrote “Hamas” in the space reserved for “membership of a known group”. Continue reading...
The Court of Appeal is hearing a challenge to the UK's ban on Palestine Action, the first direct action protest group to be proscribed. Lawyers argue the ban breaches human rights, creates a 'culture of fear' among pro-Palestinian campaigners, and violates the Home Secretary's own policy. Over 3,000 people have been arrested since the ban for displaying solidarity placards. The five-judge panel is expected to deliver judgment at a later date.
