UK’s ‘terrorism’ laws risk overreach, watchdog warns | Protests News
UK Watchdog Cautions Against Misapplication of ‘Counterterrorism’ Laws
British authorities are at risk of overextending “counterterrorism” laws to include activist groups, warning that such actions may depart from the laws’ intended purpose, according to an independent review.
In his annual report on the usage of the UK’s terrorism legislation during 2024, Independent Reviewer Jonathan Hall raised concerns over the recent ban of the pro-Palestinian group, Palestine Action. He noted this incident has underscored a “real uncertainty” regarding whether substantial property damage alone should qualify as “terrorism.”
Hall pointed to the broad language of the existing laws, suggesting that without clearer limitations, protest activities could potentially fall under “terrorism” policing, even when there is no intent to cause harm to individuals. He stated, “There is no legal authority on what ‘serious damage to property’ means,” indicating that interpretations could vary widely in court.
While Hall acknowledged the difficulty of wholly excluding property damage from the legal definition of “terrorism,” he proposed that lawmakers could refine the criteria by requiring a demonstrated risk to life or a specific national security element, thereby exempting non-violent protests.
This report emerges as the government appeals a High Court ruling that declared the ban on Palestine Action unlawful on grounds of free speech. Imposed in July 2025, the ban remains effective while the appeal is pending. United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk previously cautioned that employing “counterterrorism” laws to enforce the ban could obstruct fundamental freedoms in the UK.
Palestine Action, established in 2020, aims to end what it calls “global participation in Israel’s genocidal and apartheid regime,” primarily targeting weapons factories, especially those affiliated with Israeli defense contractor Elbit Systems. Since the implementation of the ban, approximately 3,000 arrests have been reported, with the majority linked to displaying supportive placards, and many individuals now face charges.
Hall’s report also noted an increasing reliance on “counterterrorism” laws to regulate online discourse and political expression. He discussed the 2024 banning of both Hizb ut-Tahrir and the far-right online network Terrorgram, both of which were primarily targeted for their online rhetoric rather than direct acts of violence.
In response to Hall’s findings, Interior Minister Shabana Mahmood stated she would review the recommendations before making a formal response.
