Thousands gathered in London on Saturday to express support for Palestinians, the day before a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas came into force

Police arrested dozens of protesters on the day and have arrested several more since

‘There are serious questions for the police to answer about their behaviour … and the lawful basis for the arrests of large numbers of peaceful demonstrators for alleged breach of those restrictions’ - Kerry Moscogiuri

Responding to how police dealt with the large Palestine solidarity protest outside Whitehall last Saturday, as well the arrest of a number of protesters in recent days, Kerry Moscogiuri, Campaigns and Communications Direct at Amnesty International UK, said:

“Amnesty International is seriously concerned by police conduct at and following last Saturday’s ‘End the Genocide’ in Gaza protest in Whitehall.

“In the run-up to the protest we voiced concern about police imposing restrictions on the protest that risked unnecessary and disproportionate interference with demonstrators’ rights to protest which appeared to rely on legal powers that the High Court have previously ruled to be unlawful, but have been left in effect while awaiting an appeal.

“There are now serious questions for the police to answer about their behaviour at Saturday’s protest and the lawful basis for the arrests of large numbers of peaceful demonstrators for alleged breach of those restrictions.

“Amnesty will be monitoring this ongoing situation closely. The protests over the past year have been overwhelmingly peaceful and a vital means by which people from all over the country have been able to exercise their fundamental right to peacefully demand the UK Government comply with their legal obligations to help stop Israel’s genocide in Gaza.

“Police action that suppresses participation in peaceful demonstrations breaches their obligations to facilitate protest.”

Shutting down the right to protest

Last Saturday, thousands of people gathered in London to express their support for Palestinian human rights the day before a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas came into force.

The static protest took place in Whitehall after police blocked plans to hold a march from Portland Place, near the BBC headquarters.

On Sunday, 65 protesters were arrested, and yesterday a further three people were arrested. The Metropolitan Police said there had been a "coordinated effort" to breach conditions imposed on the rally – a claim that has been vehemently denied by protest organisers.

Among those facing charges is Ben Jamal, director of Palestine Solidarity Campaign, who was accused of public order offences, including inciting people to fail to comply with protest conditions. He is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on 21 February.

It also emerged on Sunday that independent MPs Jeremy Corbyn and John McDonnell were voluntarily interviewed under caution by police following the rally