Supreme Court to hear challenge to Palestine Action terror ban

Supreme Court to hear challenge to Palestine Action terror ban

Palestine Action co-founder Huda Ammori has been granted permission to challenge the group’s proscription as a terrorist organisation before the Supreme Court.

Palestine Action was banned under terrorism legislation in July last year. Ms Ammori has challenged the decision, arguing that the ban is unlawful and disproportionate.

The High Court ruled in her favour in February, but that decision was overturned by the Court of Appeal last month.

The Supreme Court has now granted permission to appeal and said the case will be heard in the final quarter of this year.

The court said it was arguable that the ban represented a disproportionate interference with Articles 10 and 11 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which protect freedom of expression and freedom of assembly.

The outcome could affect more than 3,500 people arrested for alleged support of Palestine Action, whose cases have been put on hold pending a final ruling on the legality of the group’s proscription.

Ms Ammori welcomed the decision, saying: “The proscription of Palestine Action has become a vehicle for a far broader crackdown on expressions of solidarity with the Palestinian people.

“This unprecedented attack on free speech and the right to protest in this country is already having a chilling effect at a time when speaking out about Israel’s crimes could not be more urgent.”

She has also pledged to take the case to the European Court of Human Rights if the ban is ultimately upheld domestically.

The Supreme Court’s announcement coincided with further arrests linked to demonstrations in support of Palestine Action outside Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London.

The Metropolitan Police said officers arrested 77 people, with most detained on suspicion of expressing support for a proscribed organisation. Four others were arrested on suspicion of encouraging or assisting a criminal offence.

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