High Court Allows Palestine Action Challenge to UK Terror Ban

The High Court in London has granted permission for Palestine Action, a pro-Palestinian direct action group, to challenge the UK government's decision to designate it as a terrorist organization under anti-terror laws. The proscription, ordered by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper following protests that damaged military aircraft, criminalizes membership or support of the group with penalties of up to 14 years in prison. Justice Chamberlain ruled that the ban may have violated rights to freedom of expression and protest by not consulting the group beforehand, raising issues of natural justice and human rights. Palestine Action's lawyers argue the ban is an unlawful interference with fundamental freedoms and an excessive use of counter-terror legislation, which critics say grants the government near unfettered power to proscribe organizations. The Home Office defends the designation, citing the group's actions as intended to intimidate and influence the government politically. The ban has also drawn criticism from the United Nations human rights chief, who called it disproportionate and unnecessary.