Western Governments Under Scrutiny for Assault on Right to Protest
International outcry as Western countries weaponize counterterrorism laws and stigmatize pro-Palestine demonstrations.
The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) has issued a stark warning about the persistent assault on the right to protest across Western governments.
The study, conducted between October 2023 and September 2025, highlights how these nations have increasingly criminalized public dissent, particularly in response to pro-Palestine demonstrations.
Citing open-source research, eyewitness testimonies, and reports from international organizations, FIDH accuses the UK, US, France, and Germany of leveraging counterterrorism legislation and fears of antisemitism to suppress public outrage over the Gaza conflict.
This approach, according to Yosra Frawes, head of the Maghreb and Middle East desk at FIDH, marks a concerning shift towards the normalization of exceptional measures against dissenting voices.
The study underscores broader concerns regarding censorship of politicians, violations of media rights, and the stifling of civil society and academic freedom in these countries.
It points out that the right to protest has come under relentless attack from British governments across party lines, with efforts to legitimize Israel's actions and justify support for it.
In the UK, this narrative has been bolstered by high-profile figures like former Home Secretary Suella Braverman, who have labeled pro-Palestine rallies as 'hate marches.' Such rhetoric stigmatizes support for Palestine and Palestinian resistance movements, contributing to the persecution of Muslims and other minority groups in the country.
Even after Labour's election victory last year, little has changed in government narratives regarding the war and domestic protests.
The study reveals a continued link between criticism of Israel and alleged violent antisemitism, disproportionately targeting Muslims and ethnic minorities.
For instance, hate crimes against Muslims have risen by nearly 20%, as reported by recent UK government data.
The trend is not isolated to the UK; globally, there has been a broad repression of pro-Palestine solidarity movements across Western countries.
In the US, France, and Germany, such protests face blanket bans, legal actions, and arrests in some cases.
In response, FIDH calls for the establishment of an independent body to monitor policing practices during demonstrations and urges the revision of section 12 of the UK Terrorism Act.
This provision criminalizes support for designated organizations but must be reformed to exclude protected political opinions and solidarity chants.
The study concludes by emphasizing that this crackdown on Palestinian solidarity signals a deep crisis, not just in human rights within occupied territories, but in democratic freedoms themselves.
The study, conducted between October 2023 and September 2025, highlights how these nations have increasingly criminalized public dissent, particularly in response to pro-Palestine demonstrations.
Citing open-source research, eyewitness testimonies, and reports from international organizations, FIDH accuses the UK, US, France, and Germany of leveraging counterterrorism legislation and fears of antisemitism to suppress public outrage over the Gaza conflict.
This approach, according to Yosra Frawes, head of the Maghreb and Middle East desk at FIDH, marks a concerning shift towards the normalization of exceptional measures against dissenting voices.
The study underscores broader concerns regarding censorship of politicians, violations of media rights, and the stifling of civil society and academic freedom in these countries.
It points out that the right to protest has come under relentless attack from British governments across party lines, with efforts to legitimize Israel's actions and justify support for it.
In the UK, this narrative has been bolstered by high-profile figures like former Home Secretary Suella Braverman, who have labeled pro-Palestine rallies as 'hate marches.' Such rhetoric stigmatizes support for Palestine and Palestinian resistance movements, contributing to the persecution of Muslims and other minority groups in the country.
Even after Labour's election victory last year, little has changed in government narratives regarding the war and domestic protests.
The study reveals a continued link between criticism of Israel and alleged violent antisemitism, disproportionately targeting Muslims and ethnic minorities.
For instance, hate crimes against Muslims have risen by nearly 20%, as reported by recent UK government data.
The trend is not isolated to the UK; globally, there has been a broad repression of pro-Palestine solidarity movements across Western countries.
In the US, France, and Germany, such protests face blanket bans, legal actions, and arrests in some cases.
In response, FIDH calls for the establishment of an independent body to monitor policing practices during demonstrations and urges the revision of section 12 of the UK Terrorism Act.
This provision criminalizes support for designated organizations but must be reformed to exclude protected political opinions and solidarity chants.
The study concludes by emphasizing that this crackdown on Palestinian solidarity signals a deep crisis, not just in human rights within occupied territories, but in democratic freedoms themselves.
