UK defends Palestine Action terror ban at court challenge

Lawyers for the UK government Tuesday defended a contentious ban under anti-terror laws of activist group Palestine Action, as three days of hearings challenging the move concluded.

The government's legal team argued the decision to criminalise the direct action organisation, announced in July, was proportionate following an "escalation" in its activities.

The move makes being a member of the group or supporting it a serious criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison.

That has resulted in at least 2,300 arrests of demonstrators, according to protest organisers Defend Our Juries, and sparked concerns over free speech and civil liberties.

United Nations human rights chief Volker Turk, the Council of Europe rights watchdog and a number of NGOs have criticised the ban and the "excessive limits" on the right to protest.

Palestine Action co-founder Huda Ammori challenged the ban at the High Court in London, and hearings in front of a three-judge panel got under way last Wednesday.

Giving evidence on Tuesday, Stephen Kosmin, a lawyer representing the interior ministry, defended "the proportionality of the policy", saying it was needed "in order to protect the public" and "maintain national security".

The government outlawed the group days after activists, protesting the war in Gaza, broke into an air force base in southern England and caused an estimated £7 million ($9.3 million) of damage to two aircraft.

Ministers have been criticised for taking too broad a view of the definition of what constitutes "terrorism".

But in written court submissions, the ministry argued that actions "can constitute terrorism if it involves serious damage to property even if it does not involve violence against any person or endanger life".

"Proscribed organisations are deprived of the oxygen of publicity as well as financial support," the statements noted.

Meanwhile, interior minister lawyer Natasha Barnes argued the ban "has not prevented people from protesting in favour of the Palestinian people or against Israel's action in Gaza".

Part of the discussions regarding Palestine Action's activities took place behind closed doors, with the judges imposing some restrictions on journalists reporting on the case.

A decision will be handed down at an unspecified future date.

(AFP and TNA staff)