The Court of Appeal in London ruled on Monday (15 June) that the government's decision to ban pro-Palestinian campaign group Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation was lawful, handing ministers a victory in a closely watched legal battle over protest rights and national security.
Palestine Action, founded in 2020, was proscribed under UK terrorism laws last year following a series of actions targeting Israel-linked defence companies, particularly Israeli defence firm Elbit Systems.
The ruling overturns a High Court decision issued in February, which found that the ban unlawfully interfered with freedom of expression. Despite that judgment, Palestine Action remained proscribed while the government pursued its appeal.
Delivering the ruling, Lady Chief Justice Sue Carr said the court had concluded that the ban was justified and proportionate.
She rejected arguments that Palestine Action should be regarded as a non-violent direct-action movement, saying its conduct went beyond peaceful protest.
"The behaviour of Palestine Action was not that of a non-violent direct action organisation," Carr said.
While acknowledging that the ban was "highly controversial", she added that "it is a fundamental mistake to overlook the fact that Palestine Action overtly promoted unlawful violence amounting to terrorism."
The government had argued that the earlier High Court ruling placed too much emphasis on the impact of the ban on free speech.
Lawyers representing Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood told an appeal hearing in April that the conclusion that proscription had significantly restricted freedom of expression was "overstated and wrong."
Palestine Action co-founder Huda Ammori challenged the government's decision, arguing that the ban had far-reaching consequences for supporters of the Palestinian cause.
Ammori said proscription had imposed "severe restrictions on the fundamental free speech and assembly rights of vast numbers of people" who support Palestinian rights.
The case has attracted significant attention in Britain because of its implications for protest movements and the use of anti-terrorism legislation.
Under UK law, membership of or support for a proscribed organisation is a criminal offence. The ruling by the Court of Appeal of England and Wales means Palestine Action will remain on the list of banned organisations unless a further legal challenge succeeds.
British lawmakers look set to revisit assisted dying in the new parliamentary session after Labour MP Lauren Edwards said she would reintroduce legisl...
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk on Monday welcomed the newly announced peace agreement between the U.S. and Iran, urgin...
U.S. and Iranian officials said they had agreed on a framework to end their war, halt the U.S. blockade of Iran and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a pre...
Israel expects to secure new contracts for its air and missile defence systems from European countries within weeks, as governments across the contine...
Trade routes through Afghanistan took centre stage in Almaty as the European Union, Central Asian states and the United Nations discussed the country'...
British lawmakers look set to revisit assisted dying in the new parliamentary session after Labour MP Lauren Edwards said she would reintroduce legislation that failed to complete its passage through Parliament earlier this year.
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk on Monday welcomed the newly announced peace agreement between the U.S. and Iran, urging all parties to exercise restraint and work towards a lasting settlement.
Israel expects to secure new contracts for its air and missile defence systems from European countries within weeks, as governments across the continent continue to strengthen their militaries amid security concerns linked to Russia's war in Ukraine.
Trade routes through Afghanistan took centre stage in Almaty as the European Union, Central Asian states and the United Nations discussed the country's role in shaping regional security and economic connectivity.
Details of a reported draft memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran offer the clearest picture yet of how both sides plan to end months of conflict and move towards a longer-term settlement.
The U.S. and Iran say they have reached a deal to end their conflict, with an immediate ceasefire and reopening of the Strait of Hormuz after the lifting of the U.S. naval blockade. Talks will continue over the next 60 days to finalise the agreement
U.S. President Donald Trump has said a peace agreement with Iran is scheduled to be signed on Sunday in a post on social media, despite Tehran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei saying no deal would be approved this weekend.
U.S. and Iranian officials said they had agreed on a framework to end their war, halt the U.S. blockade of Iran and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a preliminary pact that sent oil prices falling but leaves the fate of Iran's nuclear program to further negotiations.
Switzerland on Sunday rejected a referendum proposal to cap its population at 10 million, a projection showed, as voters prioritised economic stability and the country's ties with the European Union over immigration concerns.
British lawmakers look set to revisit assisted dying in the new parliamentary session after Labour MP Lauren Edwards said she would reintroduce legislation that failed to complete its passage through Parliament earlier this year.
Israel expects to secure new contracts for its air and missile defence systems from European countries within weeks, as governments across the continent continue to strengthen their militaries amid security concerns linked to Russia's war in Ukraine.
U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to impose 100% tariffs on French wine and champagne unless France removes its digital services tax on major American technology companies.
Leaders of the world's leading industrialised democracies are gathering in the French resort town of Evian-les-Bains for the latest Group of Seven (G7) summit on Monday, with the wars in Ukraine and Iran, economic tensions and artificial intelligence expected to dominate discussions.
The UK has become the latest country to annouce a social media ban for children under 16. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer made the announcement on Monday, adding that he will impose restrictions on gaming and livestreaming platforms as well.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment