In October 2024, RSI held a panel event discussing the intersection of support for Palestinian rights, free expression, and the UK’s Prevent counter-extremism strategy. The tragic events of October 7, 2023, when Hamas and other groups launched coordinated attacks in Israel, as well as the widespread killings and displacement of Palestinian civilians by the Israeli military (which legal experts and historians increasingly describe as genocide), have sparked global debates. However, in the UK, those debates – in schools and universities, in the media and on the street – have been attracting criticism from politicians and attention from the police.
We held the event to explore when the government is allowed to crack down on free expression about controversial topics, and when speech is protected by human rights law. Where do courts draw the lines between legitimate, lawful dialogue and hate speech? When do people in the UK – especially children – risk a referral to the repressive Prevent programme because of what they have said about Israel or Palestine?
Through a series of personal stories and legal insights, our event provided a platform to discuss these important issues, bringing together experts and activists with personal experiences that shed light on the real-world implications of these policies. The audience learned about real cases of people who have faced the loss of their right to live in the UK, or a referral to Prevent, because of what they have said about Palestinian rights and current events in Gaza and Israel. Dr Layla Aitlhadj, Director of Prevent Watch, also shared accounts of children’s school and home life being disrupted as a result of groundless Prevent referrals.
We also discussed a range of European Court of Human Rights rulings about free speech and what they might mean for the UK, as well as how the UK courts view these issues. A legal expert explored how the UK’s broad definition of terrorism can disproportionately affect people advocating for marginalised communities, particularly when it comes to Palestinian solidarity. The risk of criminalising peaceful political expression was a key theme, especially in the context of Prevent, which research indicates disproportionately affect Muslim communities.
The event underscored the crucial role of free speech in a functioning democracy, particularly in the context of political movements and advocacy. It also highlighted the legal tensions between national security measures such as Prevent and the rights guaranteed under human rights law.
We hope this event will be the beginning of a broader movement to protect the right to free expression for all in the UK — especially in times of political turmoil. As the European Court of Human Rights has stated for decades, respect for the right to free speech is one of the ‘essential foundations’ of a democratic society.
RSI has previously published an analysis expressing concerns that an increased police presence in schools to stop children from speaking about Israel and Palestine could violate children’s rights to free expression. We plan to continue helping everyone in the UK understand what their rights are regarding speech on these topics, as well as other controversial speech.
The fight for free expression is not just about the right to speak; it’s about the right to be heard—about the fundamental freedom to express one’s identity, beliefs and experiences without fear or suppression.
Our work is essential in defending these rights—ensuring that people everywhere, including people in the UK who want to speak or protest about issues concerning Israel or Palestine, can express themselves freely, without harmful censorship or persecution. But we can’t do this vital work without your support.
Your donation today will empower us to continue advocating for free expression and helping people understand what their rights are. Together, we can ensure that no voice is unfairly silenced and no identity is erased.
Stand up for your rights by donating here: https://www.rightsandsecurity.org/donate. Thank you for your support.
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