📢 UK Government Fails to Justify Counter-Terrorism Measures Targeting Journalists and Human Rights Defenders
- Sharof
- Feb 9
- 2 min read
Updated: Jun 27
On 9 February 2025, Justice pour Tous Internationale (JPTi) published its formal reaction to the United Kingdom Government’s reply to UN Special Procedures communication AL GBR 15/2024, which raised urgent concerns regarding the misuse of counter-terrorism and national security legislation against journalists, whistleblowers, human rights defenders, and political dissenters.
Full text of JPTi's formal response and analysis:
The communication identified six individuals who were allegedly subjected to arbitrary stops, surveillance, searches, and prolonged data seizure under Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act 2000 and Schedule 3 of the Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Act 2019. These individuals are: Mr. Craig Murray, former British Ambassador and political commentator; Mr. Richard Medhurst, independent journalist and geopolitical analyst; Mr. Richard Barnard, co-founder of Palestine Action; Ms. Johanna Ross (Ganyukova), freelance journalist; Mr. John Laughland, academic and political writer; Mr. Kit Klarenberg, investigative journalist and editor at The Grayzone.
JPTi’s legal analysis concludes that the response is incompatible with the United Kingdom’s obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)—particularly Articles 9, 17, and 19—as well as key international interpretive instruments such as General Comment No. 34, the Johannesburg Principles, and the Tshwane Principles. The refusal to name the individuals concerned in the reply, while redacting the name of the official who issued it, further erodes public trust and international accountability.
Justice pour Tous Internationale reiterates that the invocation of national security must not serve as a blanket justification for suppressing dissent, targeting journalists, or obstructing legitimate human rights work. We urge the UK Government to issue a revised, case-specific response that fully complies with its international human rights obligations.
We extend our special gratitude to: Professor Ben Saul, Special Rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights while Countering Terrorism, who led the communication with the UK Government; Ms. Irene Khan, Special Rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of the Right to Freedom of Opinion and Expression; Ms. Gina Romero, Special Rapporteur on the Rights to Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and Association; Ms. Ana Brian Nougrères, Special Rapporteur on the Right to Privacy; Ms. Karen Lorena Reyes Tolosa, Human Rights Officer at OHCHR, for her role in facilitating engagement with the Special Procedures.
JPTi remains committed to ensuring that counter-terrorism policies uphold the rule of law and the dignity of all persons. We call on the UK Government to revise its response in line with its obligations under international human rights law.
UK Government’s response to AL GBR 15-2024:
Communication AL GBR 15-2024 from Special Procedures to the UK GVT:
