UN Warns UK Against Using Terror Laws on Palestine Action Protesters

United Nations human rights experts have urged the UK government to reconsider the use of anti-terror legislation against the protest group Palestine Action, warning that such measures risk violating international human rights standards. The statement follows reports that the UK is considering proscribing the group under the Terrorism Act 2000, a move that would criminalize membership or public support and carry potential prison sentences of up to 14 years.

The government’s proposed action stems from a recent protest at RAF Brize Norton, where four members of Palestine Action allegedly gained access to the military airbase and sprayed red paint on aircraft used for transporting weapons. Authorities have treated the incident as a potential terrorism offense, prompting counterterrorism arrests and wider scrutiny of the group’s activities. Protests in central London linked to the group were also subject to heightened policing and restrictions under public order powers.

UN special rapporteurs expressed concern that applying counter-terror laws to non-violent political activists could create a chilling effect on civil society. In their view, acts such as property damage, while potentially unlawful, do not meet the threshold of terrorism as defined under international law, which requires the intent to cause death, serious injury, or hostage-taking. The experts stressed that criminal conduct during a protest should be addressed through ordinary legal frameworks, not exceptional security legislation.

Palestine Action has consistently argued that its direct action campaigns target British complicity in the arms trade with Israel, particularly the alleged supply of weapons to the Israeli military for use in Gaza. The group has received support from several civil liberties organizations and has raised funds to challenge any attempt to proscribe it through legal channels. Critics argue that the government’s response is disproportionate and risks conflating political dissent with terrorism.

This is not the first time the UK’s use of counter-terror laws has drawn international scrutiny. The treatment of other Palestine Action activists, including the “Filton 18,” has also raised questions about due process, especially in cases involving extended detention and restrictions on legal representation. Legal observers and human rights groups warn that such approaches erode public trust and risk criminalizing activism.

As the Home Office prepares to submit a proscription order to Parliament, pressure is mounting for ministers to clarify the legal basis for the designation. UN experts have reminded the UK of its obligations to uphold free expression and peaceful assembly. The outcome could shape how the country balances national security concerns with fundamental rights in the context of political protest.

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