UN calls UK Palestine Action ban 'disproportionate and unnecessary', urges repeal

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk has issued a statement against Britain's controversial ban on the direct action group Palestine Action. 

"The decision appears disproportionate and unnecessary," Turk said in the statement.

"According to international standards, terrorist acts should be confined to criminal acts intended to cause death or serious injury or to the taking of hostages, for purpose of intimidating a population or to compel a government to take a certain action or not." 

Turk said the ban "limits the rights of many people involved with and supportive of Palestine Action who have not themselves engaged in any underlying criminal activity but rather exercised their rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association".

Hundreds have been arrested across Britain under the Terrorism Act 2000 for expressing support for Palestine Action since the UK's proscription of the group came into force on July 5. 

Legal appeals against the ban, spearheaded by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, have so far been unsuccessful.