UK human rights commission concerned about ‘heavy handed’ police approach at pro-Palestine protests News
Kwh1050, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
UK human rights commission concerned about ‘heavy handed’ police approach at pro-Palestine protests

The UK’s official human rights commission, the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), sent a letter on Friday expressing concern about the “reports of police engagement” that involved “heavy-handed policing” at pro-Palestine protests.

The EHRC’s letter was addressed to Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, and the chief of the metropolitan police, Sir Mark Rowley. In the letter, Chairwoman of the EHRC Baroness Kishwer Falkner, emphasized the role of fundamental rights such as expression and assembly in a democratic society, urging that “disproportionate police attention” at peaceful protests “undermines confidence in our human rights protections.”

Specifically, the letter links to an article by The Guardian covering the Kent police’s decision to charge pro-Palestine protestor Laura Murton. Murton was charged under 12(1a) of the Terrorism Act for holding signs that said ‘free Gaza’, which were, according to the police, supportive of the newly-designated terrorist organization, Palestine Action. Even though Murton denied connection to Palestine Action, the police said that “the phrase ‘free Gaza’ was ‘supportive of Palestine Action’,” and she committed an offense.

In London earlier this week, 466 protestors in Westminster were arrested for supporting Palestine Action. Palestine Action had been declared a “terrorist organization” by the UK government in July. The UN Human Rights Chief, Volker Türk, similarly warned that the designation was “disproportionate” and “conflates protected expression and other conduct with acts of terrorism.” 

The EHRC previously wrote to Sir Mark Rowley in 2023, asking him to ensure that the metropolitan police protect rights to peaceful protest. The EHCR added that “while tensions are high,” protestors and the metropolitan police should take care to ensure that individuals aren’t exposed to violence or threatened for “protected characteristics, such as race and religion, are never acceptable.” The letter also highlighted the “importance of ensuring that Jewish people in the Capital are able to feel safe and secure and not subject to hostile or threatening actions during this period of heightened anxiety for them.”

The right to peaceful protest is guaranteed by Article 10, the freedom of expression, and Article 11, the freedom of assembly and association, of the European Convention on Human Rights. All signatories must uphold and guarantee these rights in their jurisdictions under Article 1.

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