Liberty responds to sentencing of Palestine Action activists

Liberty, the human rights organisation, has responded to the sentencing of four Palestine Action activists as terrorists.

Akiko Hart, Liberty director, said:

“Today’s sentencing further highlights the deep flaws in the UK’s counter terror laws which capture activity most people would never consider terrorism. Direct action has always been a feature of protests, but the line between direct action and terrorism has become dangerously blurred, and this confusion will leave many people too afraid to stand up for what they believe in.

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