Human rights watchdog warns police to rethink 'heavy-handed' Palestine protest clampdown amid fears it could have a 'chilling' effect on free speech

Daily Mail​

15 hours ago

Britain's human rights watchdog has warned against the 'heavy-handed policing' of Palestine protests amid fears it could have a 'chilling' effect on free speech.
The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has written to Home Secretary Yvette Cooper and Met Police commissioner Sir Mark Rowley to remind them that the 'right to protest is a cornerstone of any healthy democracy'.
The letter, from EHRC chairwoman Baroness Kishwer Falkner, said the notion that a peaceful demonstration could attract disproportionate police attention 'undermines confidence in our human rights protections'.
Baroness Falkner said any interference with protest rights 'must be lawful and assessed case-by-case'.
She added: 'Heavy-handed policing or blanket approaches risk creating a chilling effect, deterring citizens from exercising their fundamental rights to freedom of expression and assembly through fear of possible consequences.
'This concern extends beyond those directly affected by police engagement to the broader health of our democracy, because the perception that peaceful protest may attract disproportionate police attention undermines confidence in our human rights protections.'
The letter, from EHRC chairwoman Baroness Kishwer Falkner, said the notion that a peaceful demonstration could attract disproportionate police attention 'undermines confidence in our human rights protections'
Baroness Falkner also raised concerns about 'reports of police engagement with individuals participating in forms of protest that are not linked to any proscribed organisation'.
The commission referenced a report by the Guardian newspaper about a woman said to have been threatened with arrest under the Terrorism Act for holding a Palestinian flag and signs saying 'Free Gaza' and 'Israel is committing genocide'.
The woman was reportedly told by police that her demonstration in Canterbury, Kent, in July expressed views supportive of Palestine Action, an organisation which has been banned by the Government.
The woman said neither of her signs mentioned Palestine Action and that she had told police she did not support any proscribed organisations.
Kent Police confirmed it had 'received correspondence from a legal firm representing a person spoken to by officers in Canterbury on July 14 2025' after the Guardian reported the woman is taking legal action against the force.
The EHRC said Government and police authorities must 'ensure that all officers receive clear and consistent guidance on their human rights obligations' when it comes to protests.
'This guidance should ensure that the appropriate balance is maintained between public safety and the protection of essential human rights,' Baroness Falkner added.
Palestine Action was proscribed by the UK Government in July, with the ban meaning that membership of, or support for, the group is a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison, under the Terrorism Act 2000.
More than 500 people were arrested last weekend on suspicion of displaying an item in support of a proscribed group, as demonstrations took place in central London.
Downing Street has described Palestine Action as 'violent' and said it has committed 'significant injury' as well as criminal damage, adding that evidence and security assessments shared in closed court supported its proscription.
Palestine Action said Downing Street's accusations were 'false and defamatory' and 'disproven by the Government's own intelligence assessment'.
Asked for their response to the EHRC letter, the Home Office referred to Ms Cooper's previous statement about last week's march, in which she said: 'The right to protest is one we protect fiercely but this is very different from displaying support for this one specific and narrow, proscribed organisation.'
The Metropolitan Police declined to comment when asked for their response to the letter.
It comes after a chaotic London march last Saturday saw more than a staggering 500 activists arrested - bringing the total to over 700 since July 7, when the group was proscribed.
During a day of mayhem and farce, Left-wing protesters swamped London's Parliament Square on August 9 in support of the organisation, which was proscribed by the Government last month as a terrorist group.
Hundreds held placards declaring 'I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action' in deliberate 'idiotic' acts of law-breaking designed to overwhelm police resources and the courts.
Later that day, the Metropolitan Police announced more than 360 people had been detained following the scenes of disorder - at an estimated cost of about £3million.
However, in an update on August 10, the Met said the number of total arrests had skyrocketed to 532 - with 522 of these being for people allegedly displaying placards supporting the proscribed terror group.
Protesters were accused of a 'colossal' waste of millions of pounds of taxpayers' money after seemingly getting deliberately arrested by officers.
Yesterday, the Metropolitan Police announced that a further 60 people will be prosecuted for 'showing support for the proscribed terrorist group Palestine Action.
Stephen Parkinson, Director of Public Prosecutions, said: 'The decisions that we have announced today are the first significant numbers to come out of the recent protests, and many more can be expected in the next few weeks.
We are ready to make swift decisions in all cases where arrests have been made. The public has a democratic right to protest peacefully in this country, and I understand the depth of feeling around the horrific scenes in Gaza.
'However, Palestine Action is now a proscribed terrorist organisation and those who have chosen to break the law will be subject to criminal proceedings under the Terrorism Act.
'When protest conduct crosses the line from lawful activity into criminality, we have a duty to enforce the law.
'People should be clear about the real-life consequences for anyone choosing to support Palestine Action. A terrorism conviction can severely impact your life and career – it can restrict your ability to travel overseas and work in certain professions.
'I urge people to think very carefully about their actions at protests. Anyone who chooses to disobey the law will have to face the consequences.'