A new report by the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) has found that the right to protest is under sustained attack in Western countries, with particular focus on the UK, US, France, and Germany. The study alleges that governments have “weaponised” counter-terrorism legislation and the fight against antisemitism to suppress support for Palestinian rights.
In the UK, the report notes that anti-protest legislation introduced by the previous Conservative government in 2024 was later found unlawful. It also criticises the Labour government, claiming it has “continued to justify support for Israel” and associated criticism of Israel with “violent antisemitism”. Former Home Secretary Suella Braverman is cited for calling pro-Palestine demonstrations “hate marches”.
The research, covering October 2023 to September 2025, highlights a “worrying shift towards the normalisation of exceptional measures” against dissenting voices. It points to government policies that stigmatise support for Palestine and discriminate against Muslims and other racialised groups. Recent figures show hate crimes against Muslims rose by nearly a fifth, while Islamophobic assaults surged 73% in 2024.
The report comes as the Council of Europe’s Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, wrote to UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood recommending a comprehensive review of protest policing laws. He cautioned that counter-terror laws “must not impose any limitations on fundamental rights and freedoms”. Meanwhile, Labour has proscribed the group Palestine Action and proposed increased police powers at protests.
Last week, Prime Minister Keir Starmer called for the cancellation of “un-British” demonstrations on the second anniversary of the 7 October attack. Protest organisers criticised this as conflating Israel’s actions with Jewish people globally. Civil liberties groups have expressed concern over potential restrictions on the right to protest.
