Amnesty slams UK for abusing laws to silence pro-Palestine protests
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Amnesty International’s Agnes Callamard condemns the UK government for its repressive methods targeting pro-Palestine voices.
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Protesters gather outside the High Court in London, on July 4, 2025, to support Palestine Action. (AFP)
Amnesty International’s Secretary General, Agnes Callamard, criticized the British government for abusing anti-terrorism laws to silence pro-Palestine protests instead of addressing "Israel's" “livestreamed genocide” in Gaza.
Speaking at Amnesty UK’s National Conference on Sunday, Callamard argued that London is more focused on curbing protests than addressing the root causes behind them: the "livestreamed genocide in Gaza."
The UK government is targeting protestors for speaking out for Palestinian rights.
— Amnesty UK (@AmnestyUK) July 6, 2025
The Secretary General of @Amnesty International, Agnes Callamard, spoke about the UK’s repressive measures at Amplify – Amnesty UK’s National Conference. pic.twitter.com/k90NlMxYXy
Her comments came after the UK government officially classified the pro-Palestine group Palestine Action as a “terrorist organization” starting Saturday at midnight.
Elbit in the crosshairs
Palestine Action, which defines itself as a direct action movement, has long targeted British companies linked to the Israeli arms industry, most notably the Israeli security firm Elbit Systems. The group has referred to Elbit as its “main target” in efforts to halt what it calls the UK’s complicity in Israeli war crimes, particularly the genocide in Gaza.
According to the UK’s Labour-led government, the group has caused millions of pounds in damages through operations at a Thales factory in 2022, an Elbit site in 2023, and the more recent RAF base incident. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper argued the group’s actions crossed the line from protest to criminal violence, stating, “There is no place for violence or criminal damage in legitimate protest. We must take a zero-tolerance approach in the interests of national security."
14 years in prison for aiding Palestine Action
Under the new legislation, anyone found to be a member of, or offering public support for, Palestine Action could face up to 14 years in prison.
On Saturday, protesters gathered at Parliament Square, defying a warning from the Metropolitan Police, who declared that expressing support for Palestine Action had become a criminal offense. By Saturday afternoon, the police had arrested 29 protesters on suspicion of "criminal offenses".
Among those arrested was 83-year-old retired priest, Sue Parfitt, who was detained for holding a placard that read, “I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action.” The arrest sparked widespread outrage on social media, with many condemning it as a troubling step toward authoritarianism and a crackdown on free speech.
Since "Israel's" devastating war on Gaza began in October 2023, the UK has seen some of the largest pro-Palestine protests in its history. Hundreds of thousands have taken to the streets, demanding an end to British arms exports to "Israel".
Human rights groups and legal experts have raised alarm over the UK's military and diplomatic support for "Israel", particularly its ongoing licensing of weapons components used in attacks on Gaza, making the UK complicit in the genocide.
