Britain’s Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation is being urged to examine the misuse of anti-terrorism legislation to suppress protests and direct action against the genocide in Gaza.

IHRC has written to Jonathan Hall KC asking that he urgently looks into the case of the Filton 10, among others.

In what appears to be an emerging pattern the Palestine Action activists were initially arrested under anti-terrorism legislation only to be later charged with more minor offences.

The actionists are alleged to have been involved in destroying weapons intended for use in Gaza at a facility belonging to Israel’s largest arms manufacturer, Elbit Systems, in Bristol last August. Elbit Systems, founded in 1966, is an Israeli military technology company and defence contractor supplying land-based equipment and drones to the Israeli military.

Although they have only been charged with aggravated burglary and criminal damage the actionists have been denied bail and are being subjected to treatment typically reserved for terrorism suspects. This includes the denial of reading materials, restrictions on religious practice, breaches of medical privacy, and severely limited communication with other prisoners.

And with their trial scheduled for November 2025, the 10 actionists are set to spend 17 months in prison before their case is even heard.

IHRC believes that the “disproportionate use of anti-terrorism measures in their case is not about justice but about silencing criticism and deterring activism, making their imprisonment inherently political.

The Filton 10 are political prisoners. The punitive actions taken against them—far exceeding what their charges warrant—demonstrate a deliberate attempt by the authorities to suppress dissent. This treatment sends an unmistakable message: the UK government supports Israel and will aggressively punish those who challenge this position.

The full text of the letter is available to read here.

IHRC is also urging people to write in person to the Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation demanding that the activists should no longer to be kept under conditions more appropriate for terrorism suspects.

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For more information or comment please contact the Press Office on (+44) 208 904 0222  or (+44) 7958 522196 or email media@ihrc.org
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IHRC is an NGO in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.
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