Liberty and Amnesty UK to intervene in judicial review of Palestine Action proscription

• Liberty and Amnesty International UK say proscription of Palestine Action exposes flaws in UK counter terror law
• Organisations granted permission to intervene in legal case, expected to be heard in November

The UK’s two largest human rights organisations, Liberty and Amnesty International UK, have been granted permission by the High Court to intervene in a hearing later this year on the proscription of Palestine Action as a terrorist group.

Individuals or bodies with particular expertise can apply for permission to intervene in a case and give evidence to assist the court in its decision making.

In their application to the court, Liberty and Amnesty UK criticised the UK’s definition of terrorism as being “extremely broad”, and said it “extends beyond international definitions”. Proscribing a group whose actions fall under the “outer reaches” of the UK definition is not proportionate, the groups said.

Broad counter terror powers and a lack of clarity on where the line is drawn on criminal liability have discouraged people from engaging in protest due to the risk of incurring sentences of up to 14 years in prison.

Liberty and Amnesty UK said the decision to proscribe any protest group as a terrorist group also impinges on the rights to freedom of expression and freedom of association.

There have been more than 700 arrests of protesters related to the proscription of Palestine Action so far, with more than 100 people charged under the Terrorism Act. The vast majority of arrests have been due to holding signs or placards deemed as supportive of Palestine Action.