UK: Immigration powers ‘must not be weaponised’ to suppress Gaza protests

‘Immigration powers must not be weaponised to suppress freedom of expression and the right to peaceful assembly’ - Ilyas Nagdee

Recent reports of student and other visas being revoked due to participation in pro-Palestine protests are ‘alarming’ and follow a worrying pattern of immigration powers being weaponised to suppress peaceful protest and freedom of speech in the UK, Amnesty International said today (10 May). 

This trend comes amidst an increased climate of suppression of peaceful protest, including recent comments made by the Security Minister Tom Tugendhat during a media interview threatening visa removal for students who participate in protests.

Ilyas Nagdee, Amnesty International UK’s Racial Justice Director, said:

“Immigration powers must not be weaponised to suppress freedom of expression and the right to peaceful assembly.  

“Reports that people are having their visas revoked because of their participation in protests against the gross human rights violations being committed in Gaza are alarming and extremely worrying.

“The Security Minister’s recent suggestion that overseas students should not join protests is simply oppressive.

“Nobody should be pressured by Government to infringe upon the right to legitimate protest, including in support of the Palestinian people.”

Amnesty UK’s concerns about immigration powers being used to suppress protest and dissent have been further confirmed by the recent announcement of a new reporting route for foreign nationals in the UK as part of the Prevent programme.