What's happened
Independent reviewer Jonathan Hall has warned that banning protest groups under counterterrorism powers risks blurring lines between protest and terrorism, with unclear criteria for "serious damage to property" and rising use of counterterrorism laws to police online content.
What's behind the headline?
Analysis
- Hall argues there is "real uncertainty" over whether property damage alone can qualify as terrorism, urging lawmakers to narrow the test to include risk to life or a national security dimension.
- The report notes a growing reliance on counterterrorism laws to police online propaganda and expression, raising concerns about free speech in the UK.
- Proponents say counterterrorism powers are necessary to curb violence at facilities and protect national security, while critics warn of over-broad policing that could chill non-violent protest.
- With Palestine Action’s ban under appeal, the ruling could set a precedent about where policing ends and protest begins, affecting activists, organizers, and speakers.
- The government’s response will shape future enforcement and potential amendments to the Terrorism Act 2000.
How we got here
Hall’s annual report examines 2024 use of Britain’s terrorism legislation. Palestine Action’s 2025 ban remains in force while the government appeals a High Court ruling that it was unlawful on free-speech grounds. The report also highlights Hizb ut-Tahrir and Terrorgram cases.
Our analysis
The Times of Israel reports Hall’s concern that there is no clear legal authority on what counts as ‘serious damage to property’ and notes the 2025 Palestine Action ban is awaiting appeal. Al Jazeera quotes Hall and mentions United Nations human rights concerns. Reuters summarizes the same points and underscores the 2024-2025 trajectory of prosecutions tied to counterterrorism measures.
Go deeper
- How might the definition of ‘serious damage to property’ be clarified in law?
- What are the implications for activists and protest groups if the ban is upheld?
- Will there be changes to the Terrorism Act 2000 as a result of Hall’s recommendations?
More on these topics
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Shabana Mahmood - Member of Parliament of the United Kingdom
Shabana Mahmood is a British Labour Party politician and barrister serving as the Member of Parliament for Birmingham, Ladywood since 2010. She has served in the Shadow Cabinet of Keir Starmer as the Labour Party National Campaign Coordinator since 2021.
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Palestine Action - Europe-based pro-Palestinian direct action group
Palestine Action is a pro-Palestinian protest network that uses direct action tactics to shut down and disrupt multinational arms dealers. In particular, the group targets UK-based operations that provide weapons used in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict
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Hizb ut-Tahrir - Political party
Hizb ut-Tahrir (Arabic: حزب التحرير, romanized: Ḥizb at-Taḥrīr, lit. 'Party of Liberation'; HT) is an international pan-Islamist and fundamentalist political organization whose stated aim is the re-establishment of the Islamic caliphat