10 hours ago
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Green MSP calls to block Palestine Action prosecutions
Mr Greer highlighted the case of a 78-year-old man in Scotland repeatedly visited by police after being arrested for wearing a t-shirt reading: 'Genocide in Palestine. Time to take Action.'
The Labour Government placed Palestine Action on the same list as ISIS and Al-Qaeda earlier this summer, triggering hundreds of arrests across the UK.
Last week alone, nearly 500 people were detained at Westminster protests, many for carrying placards supporting the group.
Mr Greer has urged First Minister John Swinney to use the Criminal Justice Modernisation Bill to press the Lord Advocate to issue prosecution guidance, similar to measures taken on drug consumption facilities and prison overcrowding.
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Mr Greer told The Herald: 'Wearing a t-shirt isn't terrorism. The UK Government's attempt to silence pro-Palestine protests is a disgusting crackdown on dissent. That's why I'm calling on the Scottish Government to take every step available under devolved powers to undo this cowardly decision from Westminster.
'The independence of the Lord Advocate must be respected. But there are plenty of examples where they have set common-sense policies following the clear will of our Government and Parliament.
"The safe drug consumption facility in Glasgow came after years of pressure across Scotland and was only possible thanks to the Lord Advocate issuing non-prosecution guidance which prevents arrests. Just last year she came to Holyrood to set out revised prosecution guidance in the face of capacity issues in the prison system.
'I am calling on the First Minister to use the Criminal Justice Modernisation Bill, currently going through Parliament, to set out Parliament's clear desire that the Lord Advocate to issue sensible guidance and end the ludicrous scenes we have witnessed of Police Scotland officers arresting peaceful pensioners for the 'terrorism-related offence' of wearing t-shirts and holding signs opposing the genocide in Gaza.
'This is a farcical waste of police and court time and it is obviously not in the public interest. We cannot overturn the ban on Palestine Action here in Scotland, but we can at least make sure it isn't enforced to this ludicrous extent.
'Of course people are disgusted by Israel's brutality and feel compelled to take action and call out the UK Government's complicity. No matter how hard Labour Ministers try, they cannot hide from the fact that they have enabled this genocide through the supply of arms, intelligence and military training to Israel. They certainly cannot shut down dissent and protest against their own actions.
'People across the country oppose this genocide and are desperate for the UK Government to end its support for Israel's disgusting actions. They also expect the Scottish Government to defend their right to peaceful protest.'
International groups including Amnesty International and the UN's human rights chief have criticised the proscription, calling it a misuse of counter-terror laws.
The Crown Office has been contacted for comment.
