Liberty intervenes in Government appeal of Palestine Action judgment

Liberty has intervened in the legal case over whether the proscription of Palestine Action was lawful.

The human rights organisation previously intervened in the Palestine Action’s challenge to the proscription order at the High Court – and has today intervened in the Government’s appeal of that High Court judgment.

Akiko Hart, Liberty director, said:

“The proscription of Palestine Action risks paving the way for current and future governments to use counter terror powers against non-terrorist groups, as we have seen in other countries to silence activists, minorities and opponents.

“This case has exposed a deeper problem with the UK’s counter terror laws where the line between what is and is not terrorism has become dangerously blurred – and this will continue to have a chilling effect on protest and free speech. People must be able to stand up, speak out, and take part in protest without fear of being labelled a terrorist and arrested.

“When it’s not clear what counts as terrorism, public trust collapses and without trust, counter-terror laws simply don’t work.

“There is an urgent need to update the current definition of terrorism to enable current, and future governments to uphold their duty to safeguard the public and national security, whilst protecting people’s rights and preventing overreach.”

You can read our legal submissions here.