UN rights office says US terror designation of Palestine Action threatens free speech
Palestine Action has targeted Israel-linked defence companies in Britain, especially Israel's largest defence firm Elbit Systems, often blocking entrances or spraying red paint.
The United Nations' human rights office has expressed concern over the Trump administration's decision to designate the Palestine Action group as a terrorist organization. According to Volker Turk, the UN's human rights chief, this move represents a disproportionate and unnecessary restriction on free speech rights. The UN office warns that such an expansive use of the term "terrorism" could have a chilling effect on civic space, making it difficult for individuals to express themselves, gather peacefully, or participate in public affairs.
Britain had previously banned Palestine Action as a terrorist organization, and its Supreme Court is currently considering an appeal against the decision. The group has targeted Israeli defense companies in Britain, particularly Elbit Systems, often blocking entrances or spraying red paint. The UK's ban on the group led to protests, with an estimated 3,000 people arrested.
The group claims its actions aim to save lives by disrupting the Israeli war machine and opposing Israel's war against Hamas. The UN special rapporteur on human rights and counter-terrorism, Ben Saul, along with UN expert Francesca Albanese, have also voiced their concerns about the designation. Sarah McLaughlin, a senior scholar of global expression at a free speech group, urges the rejection of censorship and the rejection of efforts to import it.
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