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Hamas fails to overturn status as banned terrorist group in UK

Hamas fails to overturn status as banned terrorist group in UK

Times09-07-2025
The Home Office has dismissed an application by Hamas to be removed from the list of banned terrorist organisations.
The Islamist Palestinian group, which led the October 7 attacks that killed about 1,200 Israelis, launched a legal challenge in April claiming the designation breached the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).
The proscription makes it a criminal offence to have any association with or show support for the group in the UK.
Hamas claimed the ban was contrary to the 'duties of the British state' to 'end genocide', that it was incompatible with the ECHR because it unlawfully restricts freedom of speech and that it was disproportionate since the group 'does not pose any threat to Britain or British citizens'.
Hamas also claimed proscription hindered its ability to broker a political solution to the conflict in Gaza and stifled conversations in securing a long-term political settlement.
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