Police Scotland and the Lord Advocate have been urged to uphold human rights law in Scotland following mass arrests of peaceful protestors in London this weekend. 

‘Any arrests for the type of peaceful activity that took place in London over the weekend would violate international human rights law.’ – Liz Thomson

Amnesty International has warned that this weekend’s deeply concerning mass arrests of peaceful protestors in London must never be replicated in Scotland. 

In a letter to Police Scotland’s Chief Constable and the Lord Advocate, Amnesty said the arrest of otherwise peaceful protesters solely for expressing the statement ‘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 peaceful assembly. 

There have been reports of arrests and charges laid against a small number of individuals in Scotland in recent weeks since the proscription of Palestine Action. 

The letter reads:  

The mass arrests that took place in London over the weekend were deeply concerning. The arrest of otherwise peaceful protestors solely for expressing the statement ‘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 peaceful assembly.  

Police Scotland have reportedly made arrests of individuals in recent weeks for displaying the message ‘Genocide in Palestine time to take action’, without any incitement to violence. Any further arrests on these grounds, or for the type of peaceful activity that took place in London over the weekend would violate international human rights law. 

Amnesty has long criticised UK terrorism law for being excessively broad and vaguely worded and a threat to freedom of expression. I am urging you to ensure that decision making regarding the policing of protests, and any related arrests and prosecutions, takes due account of the relevant international human rights standards the UK has signed up to, and that Police Scotland officers are instructed to show restraint. 

Liz Thomson, Amnesty’s Acting Scotland Programme Director said:

“The mass arrests of peaceful protestors in London over the weekend were deeply concerning and similar scenes should never be replicated in Scotland. 

“Some arrests have been made by Police Scotland in recent weeks, reportedly of individuals displaying messages deemed to be in support of Palestine Action without any incitement to violence. 

“Police Scotland and the Lord Advocate must be clear that they have obligations under the Human Rights Act and international law to uphold the right to peaceful protest – and that carrying out arrests for peaceful expression on this issue will be a violation of international human rights law.