Arabic version: إدانة قادة مدنيين لانتهاك قواعد الاحتجاج في لندن

Two civil society leaders have been found guilty of breaching protest guidelines in the United Kingdom during a pro-Palestine demonstration in London last year. Ben Jamal, 62, director of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, and Chris Nineham, 63, vice chairman of the Stop the War Coalition, were convicted on charges stemming from a mass protest that took place on January 18, 2025.

According to Al Jazeera, the court found that the defendants failed to adhere to police-imposed conditions that restricted the protest’s route, specifically preventing demonstrators from entering the vicinity of the British Broadcasting Corporation’s headquarters at Portland Place. Additionally, Jamal was convicted of two counts of inciting other protesters to breach these conditions.

The verdict was delivered at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, where the judge noted that both men were aware of the restrictions due to their roles in organizing the event. The ruling has drawn criticism from supporters, including former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, who attended the court proceedings.

In response to the conviction, Jamal’s organization stated that their commitment to protest remains strong, despite what they termed a “disgraceful decision.” Human Rights Watch also condemned the ruling, suggesting it reflects a broader trend of governmental repression against dissenting voices in the UK.

Upcoming protests are planned for April 11, as activists continue to rally in support of Palestine Action, a group that has faced numerous arrests in recent months. The ongoing situation has highlighted concerns about the rights of protesters in the UK, particularly in the context of the recent conflict in Gaza, which has mobilized significant public support for Palestinian causes.