Amnesty International has written to Chief Constable Jon Boutcher to urge the PSNI to uphold human rights law following arrest of protester in Belfast for wearing a ‘We are all Palestine Action’ T-shirt  

‘The PSNI must uphold people’s right to protest against the genocide being perpetrated in Gaza. Arresting people on terrorism offences for wearing a T-shirt is the height of absurdity’ – Patrick Corrigan

Amnesty International has urged the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) to uphold their obligations under human rights law to protect the right to peaceful protest.

In a letter to PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher, Amnesty said the arrest of peaceful protesters solely for expressing support for Palestine Action is a violation of the UK’s international obligations to protect the rights of freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. 

A 74-year-old woman was arrested in Belfast on Saturday while others received cautions for wearing t-shirts with the slogan ‘We are all Palestine Action’. 

Patrick Corrigan, Northern Ireland director of Amnesty International, said:

“The PSNI must uphold people’s right to protest against the genocide being perpetrated in Gaza. Arresting people on terrorism offences for wearing a T-shirt is the height of absurdity.”

In the letter, Mr Corrigan, details how the arrest of otherwise peaceful protesters solely for expressing a statement such as ‘I Oppose Genocide. I Support Palestine Action’ is a violation of the UK’s international obligations to protect the rights of freedom of expression and assembly.

“Under international human rights law, protest speech should only be criminalised if it incites violence, hatred or discrimination. 

“In the case of the Palestine Action solidarity protests, holding a placard or wearing a T-shirt and peacefully stating support for Palestine Action cannot be treated as an example of incitement.”

The letter goes on to say that arrests on this basis would violate international human rights law. As such, Amnesty is urging the PSNI chief constable to instruct officers to comply with the UK’s international obligations and act with discretion in their response to peaceful protesters.

The letter also goes on to remind the Chief Constable that given the High Court has ruled that it is at least arguable that the proscription of Palestine Action was unlawful, the legal foundation for the offences under which arrests have taken place so far, is also in doubt.