Updated Statement: Palestine Action
Following confirmation that the UK Government is intending to proscribe Palestine Action, the Scottish Greens reiterated warnings of the deeply authoritarian implications of using terrorism legislation to silence non-violent protesters.
Patrick said:
“Today’s confirmation that Labour intends to use terrorism legislation against non-violent protesters should worry us all.
“Palestine Action have been accused by Keir Starmer of ‘vandalism’ and by Rachel Reeves today of causing damage to “privately owned assets” - which the RAF said would have no impact on their operations.
“It’s obviously absurd that throwing red paint on things could cause a group to be listed alongside Al Qaeda, ISIS and Russia’s Wagner Group, with membership carrying a 14-year prison sentence.
“This is deeply authoritarian. Human rights groups like Amnesty International have rightly raised significant concerns over this aggressive use of powers that should be reserved for only the most extreme and dangerous organisations.
“To use Rachel Reeves’ own words - what really is “totally unacceptable” is the UK Government’s ongoing commitment to train, arm and support Israel as it regularly and openly commits war crimes as part of an ongoing genocide.
“Labour’s priorities are completely backwards - and will have devastating consequences for Palestinians under siege in Gaza and non-violent protesters here in the UK.”