Liberty: Terror sentences for protestors sets dangerous precedent

Liberty has responded to reports protestors, known as the ‘Barclays Five’, face being sentenced under terror laws despite being convicted of non-terror criminal charges.

This follows the case of protesters known as the ‘Filton 4’, who had terror connections applied to their sentences last month despite being convicted of non-terror criminal charges.

Liberty warned the application of terror connections in this way sets a dangerous precedent and highlights serious flaws in the UK’s counter terror laws.

Akiko Hart, Liberty director, said: “This is a hugely concerning development. It further highlights the deep flaws in the UK’s counter terror laws which capture activity most people would never consider terrorism – and which can be dealt with by the law under criminal charges. It also confirms our fears that the Filton 4 sentencing would set a dangerous precedent for how terrorism laws are used to target protestors.

“Direct action has always been a feature of protests, but the line between direct action and terrorism is becoming 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.”