Vuélvete ilimitado con Magzter GOLD
Obtenga acceso ilimitado a más de 9000 revistas, periódicos e historias Premium por solo
Intentar ORO - Gratis
Proscription was disproportionate – and has had a chilling effect
The Observer
|August 17, 2025
Last month I was granted permission by the high court to legally challenge the proscription of Palestine Action.
The judge said the ban was arguably unlawful on the grounds that it was disproportionate with rights to free speech and protest, and that the home secretary failed to consult Palestine Action or any human rights organisations.
As my barristers argued, the proscription has had a chilling effect on thousands of people across the country. Examples include a former headmaster arrested for displaying a Private Eye cartoon, and protester Laura Murton being accused by police of potentially committing a terror offence by displaying a Palestine flag and a placard that said “Free Gaza”. Even the UN human rights commissioner, Volker Türk, agrees the proscription is “disproportionate and unnecessary”.
Esta historia es de la edición August 17, 2025 de The Observer.
Suscríbete a Magzter GOLD para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9000 revistas y periódicos.
¿Ya eres suscriptor? Iniciar sesión
MÁS HISTORIAS DE The Observer
The Observer
AI may well pose a threat to jobs, but it’s the tech dystopia that’s the real worry
Recent scare stories obscure the fact that the risk posed by artificial intelligence is most likely to come from its misuse by the powerful
4 mins
February 22, 2026
The Observer
Rules aren't enough – we need traffic lights to show the way
The choices the government makes about tax and public spending – the who, what and how much – matter for all of our economic lives.
2 mins
February 22, 2026
The Observer
This is the moment to redefine royalty
European monarchies are hardy institutions, survivors of almost every calamity. Spain’s King Juan Carlos, for example, was forced to abdicate in 2014 over sexual infidelity and financial chicanery that should have overwhelmed him and his office.
2 mins
February 22, 2026
The Observer
With Andrew’s fall, the monarchy’s magic spell over the public has been broken
The king’s brother is arrested, his house is searched and we question the suitability of public magic as a system of rule, as we should.
4 mins
February 22, 2026
The Observer
'Ukraine is not just a map point. It is a spirit in all who believe, fight and refuse to give up'
Four years on from the start of Russia's invasion, the people of the once occupied city of Kherson remain defiant, united and hopeful in the face of constant drone strikes.
7 mins
February 22, 2026
The Observer
Royal calamities are nothing new – but this will go down in history
Was Thursday, 19 February 2026 the worst day faced by a British royal family since the death of Diana?
2 mins
February 22, 2026
The Observer
To leave or not to leave, that is Lagarde's question
The decision on whether to leave her post early may define Christine Lagarde's legacy, but there is no denying she has “accomplished a lot” as president of the European Central Bank (ECB), as she told the Wall Street Journal last week.
1 min
February 22, 2026
The Observer
Macdonald reaches for the sky at London fashion week
With a catwalk look inspired by Britain’s tallest building, the Welsh designer helped put an ailing UK fashion scene — as well as his own career — back on the map.
3 mins
February 22, 2026
The Observer
A warning from the future: after Ukraine, Putin looks north to the Baltic states
Military analysts are wargaming scenarios in which Russia turns its sights on Estonia as soon as 2028 - putting Nato's Article 5 to the ultimate test.
6 mins
February 22, 2026
The Observer
On yer bikes
It’s time the royals embraced modernisation and converted to a Scandi-style cycling monarchy
3 mins
February 22, 2026
Listen
Translate
Change font size