Since Palestine Action was proscribed last month there have been more than 200 arrests for peacefully showing support for the group

This weekend’s London protest, organised by Defend Our Juries, is expected to attract hundreds of activists

The letter to Sir Mark Rowley, the Met’s Chief Commissioner, calls for restraint to be exercised when policing people holding placards expressing their support for Palestine Action

Police have already threatened to arrest hundreds of demonstrators on the day

‘At a time when people are quite rightly outraged by the genocide they see being perpetrated in Gaza, it is more crucial than ever that there is space to peacefully express that outrage’ – Sacha Deshmukh

Amnesty International UK has written to Sir Mark Rowley, Chief Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, ahead of the widely publicised planned protest due to take place in London on Saturday (9^th August) by activist group Defend Our Juries.

The group, who opposes the proscription of Palestine Action, have been protesting since the ban came into effect on 5th July. So far, all their protests have been entirely peaceful, yet there have been many arrests under the Terrorism Act for showing solidarity with the banned group using slogans on placards.

The letter, signed by Amnesty UK’s chief executive Sacha Deshmukh, warns against arresting demonstrators, who are expected to turn out in their hundreds.

Police have already threatened to make hundreds of arrests on the day, and prison bosses have been making space in prisons for a possible influx of protesters after the Ministry of Justice initiated “capacity gold demand”.

The letter 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. It goes on to say that further arrests on this basis would violate international human rights law. As such, Amnesty is urging the Met’s chief police commissioner to instruct officers to comply with the UK’s international obligations and act with restraint in their response to peaceful protesters who are merely carrying placards.

Under international law, protest speech can only be criminalised if it incites violence, serious damage to property, hatred or discrimination. In the case of this weekend’s protest, holding a placard and peacefully stating support for Palestine Action cannot be treated as an example of incitement.

The letter also goes on to remind the Chief Commissioner 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 section 12 and 13 offences under which arrests have taken place so far, is also in doubt.

Sacha Deshmukh said:

“Peaceful protesters must be free to express themselves this weekend without fear of reprisals. Arresting people on terrorism offences for peacefully holding a placard flies in the face of international human rights law.

“At a time when people are quite rightly outraged by the genocide they see being perpetrated in Gaza, it is more crucial than ever that there is space to peacefully express that outrage.

“I call again on the Met police to think carefully before making rash decisions this weekend – their job is to facilitate peaceful protest, not shut it down.”

A ban that breaches International Law

On 5^th July, Palestine Action were officially proscribed by the UK government as a terrorist group - banning all association or support with the group with immediate effect, with a threat of up to 14 years in prison for those who defy the ban. One of the founders of Palestine Action has sought a judicial review of the Government's decision to ban them and last Wednesday (30th July), the High Court granted them a full hearing. In doing so it ruled that the ban was at least arguably unlawful and that their arguments raised ‘serious issues to be tried’.

On the 25^th July the UN High Commissioner publicly denounced the UK governments' move to proscribe Palestine Action. The UN Special Rapporteur on Counter Terrorism and Human Rights has sought and been granted permission to intervene in the judicial review proceedings.  

This weekend’s protest has been organised by Defend Our Juries, an activist-led group that raises awareness of civil disobedience, direct action and disruptive protest court cases.

Since Palestine Action’s proscription they have actively engaged in a peaceful civil disobedience campaign, by encouraging their supporters to come to Westminster and hold signs and placards in support of the banned group.

Since the start of July more than 200 people have been arrested across the UK for showing support. This weekend they are expecting around 500 protesters holding pro-Palestine Action signage to attend.