The Muslim Council of Britain is deeply concerned by the decision to apply terrorism-related sentencing provisions to Palestine Action activists who were not convicted of terrorism offences.
Criminal offences should be prosecuted and punished through the ordinary course of law. However, many legal experts and civil liberties advocates have warned that the use of terrorism legislation in this case risks further blurring the line between acts of terrorism and acts of political protest or direct action which are the right of every law abiding citizen.
Particularly concerning are reports that the jury was not informed that a terrorism connection finding could ultimately be attached to convictions for non-terrorism offences. Questions of such significance go to the heart of transparency, due process and public confidence in the justice system.
The continued expansion of counter-terrorism powers risks further eroding civil liberties and setting precedents that may have far-reaching consequences for democratic freedoms. Exceptional powers should remain exceptional and not become the norm.
A democratic society must be able to distinguish clearly between terrorism and protest. Weakening that distinction serves neither justice nor public safety.
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