The UK’s human rights watchdog has raised concerns over what it described as a potentially “heavy-handed” approach to Gaza protests and has called for clearer guidance for police officers.
In a letter to the Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, and Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Sir Mark Rowley, the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) said the perception that peaceful protest could attract disproportionate police attention “undermines confidence in our human rights protections”.
While much recent focus has been on arrests of those accused of supporting Palestine Action, which was recently proscribed as a terrorist group, the EHRC’s letter centred on individuals who have faced police action for broader demonstrations relating to Gaza.
One case cited was that of Laura Murton, who was threatened with arrest under the Terrorism Act by Kent Police for holding a Palestinian flag and signs reading “Free Gaza” and “Israel is committing genocide”.
EHRC chair Kishwer Falkner wrote: “Whilst we acknowledge police expertise in assessing security risks, we want to emphasise that any interference with protest rights must be lawful and assessed case by case.
“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.”
She said this concern extended beyond those directly affected to “the broader health of our democracy”.
Falkner urged ministers and police to ensure all officers were given “clear and consistent guidance on their human rights obligations in relation to protest” to maintain an “appropriate balance” between public safety and the protection of essential freedoms.
In a statement, she added: “The right to peaceful protest is fundamental to our democracy and must be protected even when dealing with complex and sensitive issues.
“We recognise the genuine challenges the police face in maintaining public safety, but we are concerned that some recent responses may not strike the right balance between security and fundamental rights.
“Our role as the national human rights institution is to uphold the laws that safeguard everyone’s right to fairness, dignity and respect. When we see reports of people being questioned or prevented from peaceful protests that don’t support proscribed organisations, we have a duty to speak out.”
The warning comes against the backdrop of wider police operations targeting those accused of directly supporting Palestine Action, which is illegal due to its banned status.
More than 500 people were arrested in London last Saturday, almost all for displaying placards or signs allegedly supportive of the group. Police said half of those detained were aged 60 or above.
Downing Street has defended the ban on Palestine Action, describing it as “a violent organisation that has committed violence, significant injury, extensive criminal damage”. One of the group’s co-founders has rejected the description as false and defamatory.
