Richard Medhurst one of several pro-Palestinian journalists facing terror charges. Photo: Bonzo/Alamy.
The UK has used its Terrorism Law to detain journalists and activists expressing critical views of its foreign policy toward Israel
Four UN Special Rapporteurs have written a letter to the UK government demanding an explanation for its recent persecution of multiple journalists and political activists under the pretext of the Terrorism Act.
The letter states that the journalists and activists who have been detained by UK authorities appear to have no credible connection to “terrorist” or “hostile” activity.
The letter referenced the cases of journalists Johanna Ross (Ganyukova), The Cradle contributors Kit Klarenberg, Craig Murray, Richard Barnard and Richard Medhurst. All have been detained at various times by UK authorities after criticizing Israel’s genocide of Palestinians in Gaza, NATO policy toward Russia, or both.
The UN letter is signed by Ben Saul, Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism; Irene Khan, Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression; Gina Romero, Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, and Ana Brian Nougrères, Special Rapporteur on the right to privacy.
The letter expressed concern that the UK terrorism law, which prevents providing support to designated terror groups, is overly vague and broad. It allows authorities to detain journalists for expressing views critical of UK foreign policy.
This letter was sent by the UN to the UK government on 4 December. The letter was made public after UK authorities failed to respond to it for 60 days.
Additional pro-Palestine activists, Asa Winstanley, Sarah Wilkinson and Tony Greenstein were detained after the UN letter had already been drafted.
Journalist Craig Murray writes that the letter offers a “devastating critique of the UK’s terrorism laws and their inappropriate use to stifle dissent and freedom of expression.”
The letter states, “We express our concern regarding the potential misapplication of counter-terrorism laws against journalists and activists who were critical of the policies and practices of certain governments, which may unjustifiably interfere with the rights to freedom of expression and opinion and participation in public life.”
The actions of UK authorities “lead to self-censorship and have a serious chilling effect on the media, civil society and legitimate political and public discourse,” the letter adds.
Moreover, the Terrorism Act “criminalizes expressing an opinion or belief that is supportive of a proscribed organization and being reckless as to whether it encouraged support for that organization.”
The UN letter was published shortly after journalist Richard Medhurst was detained by Austrian police and intelligence agents and accused of being a member of Hamas.
Medhurst lives in Austria and has spoken out strongly against Israel’s genocide of Palestinians in Gaza and war on Lebanon. He said police raided his home on Monday, took his devices, and interrogated him.
“They essentially lured me into a trap,” he said in a video posted on X. Immigration authorities called him to a meeting where they threatened to revoke his residency because of his reporting.
Last month, US-Palestinian journalist Ali Abunimah was detained, interrogated, and deported from Switzerland.
Abunimah, the executive director of the Palestine-focused news site Electronic Intifada, says he was detained for his reporting.
“My ‘crime?’ Being a journalist who speaks up for Palestine and against Israel’s genocide and settler-colonial savagery and those who aid and abet it,” he wrote.
Abunimah was arrested in Zurich before he was set to deliver a speech in the city about Israel’s genocide of Palestinians in Gaza.
