'Draconian': UK faces backlash over terror law use in Palestine Action proscription

​​​​​​​By Aysu Bicer

LONDON (AA) - CAGE International, a Civil liberties group, condemned the UK government's decision Thursday to proscribe the Palestine Action campaign group as a “draconian” use of counterterrorism powers and demanded the “abolition of authoritarian terror laws.”

The group said the move demonstrated how “the very architecture of anti-terror legislation must be dismantled,” accusing politicians of abusing the law in the face of public opposition.

“The UK government has once again employed draconian anti-terrorism powers to continue its defense and support for the genocide in Gaza.

“It has never been more necessary to abolish the entire infrastructure of authoritarian terror laws, beginning with proscription powers,” Anas Mustapha, head of public advocacy for CAGE International, said in a statement.

“MPs and Lords have now voted in favor of Palestine Action’s proscription. This is a wholesale collapse of all sense and total political surrender to Zionist and permanent war lobbies that are exacting a genocide in Gaza,” added Mustapha.

The pro-Palestine group, which carries out actions against companies linked to the Israeli arms industry, has faced mounting legal pressure in recent years but had not previously been banned.

The ban is due to take effect following a High Court hearing on July 4, which will decide whether the proscription can be temporarily blocked.

An order to amend the Terrorism Act 2000 and proscribe the group was passed Wednesday by the House of Commons in a 385 - 26 vote.

The Lords then voted on the government's decision to proscribe Palestine Action as a terror organization.

A regret motion, which sought to formally condemn the ban, was defeated in a vote that saw 144 lawmakers in favor against 16.

With the amendment rejected, the order to ban Palestine Action was passed.