Palestine Action’s co-founder wins bid to challenge UK ban under anti-terror laws

The founder of a pro-Palestinian activist group has won the right to challenge the British government’s decision to ban the group under anti-terrorism laws.

London High Court Judge Martin Chamberlain granted Palestine Action’s co-founder Huda Ammori permission to seek a judicial review Wednesday, saying that it was “reasonably arguable,” that the ban had disproportionately interfered with the group’s right to freedom of expression, assembly and association under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).

British Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said Wednesday that the court “confirmed the continuation of the proscription order against Palestine Action Group,” while allowing permission for a further hearing under normal judicial review procedures.

“Importantly, this proscription decision is not about Palestine, nor does it affect the freedom to protest on Palestinian rights,” Cooper said in a statement.

“It only applies to the specific and narrow organisation, Palestine Action, whose activities do not reflect or represent the thousands of people across the country who continue to exercise their fundamental rights to protest on different issues.”