UK activists address the UN to condemn the criminalisation of solidarity with Palestine

PRESS RELEASE
UK activists address Human Rights council to advocate for Brize Norton 5, and condemn the criminalisation of solidarity with Palestine
Geneva, London, 9 March 2026

On 16th March 2026 a delegation from The Landworkers’ Alliance, The Brize Norton 5 campaign and Prisoners 4 Palestine, in collaboration with CETIM, travelled to Geneva to address the 61st session of UN Human Rights Council. Nida Jafri, best friend of Amu Gib who is one of the Brize Norton 5 prisoners, spoke on behalf of the delegation to call out the British government for its failure to uphold human rights in the case of criminalised Palestine Action protesters.

In December 2025, six UN human rights experts published a press release while 8 Palestine Action activists were on a hunger strike which lasted 73 days. The experts raised concerns about the restrictions placed on pro-Palestine activists in the UK and drew attention to the British governments overbreadth of anti-terrorism powers against freedoms of expression and association.

One of the detainees, Amu Gib, is a member of UK farming union The Land Workers’ Alliance. Alongside 4 others, they will have spent nearly two years in prison by the time their trial begins in Jan 2027. Their alleged offence was spray-painting military refuelling war planes used in the ongoing genocide in Gaza.

The proscription of the group Palestine Action, recently judged unlawful by the High Court, remains in force while the government appeals.

The delegation drew attention to the Brize Norton 5, who, despite the release of over 23 other Palestine Action protestors following the outcome of the first Filton 24 trial, remain incarcerated on remand under the National Security Act 2023 and terror legislation links.

Addressing the UN Human Rights Council on 16th March, Nida Jafri stated

‘Several [Palestine Action prisoners] have been detained in some of the highest-security prisons in the country, where they report systematic mistreatment by prison authorities. This constitutes arbitrary detention under international human rights law.’

The delegation called on the Human Rights Council and its relevant bodies and mechanisms to urge British authorities to respect its international commitments and stop criminalizing pro-Palestine activists.

In the deputation to the UN, Nida Jafri also stated

‘Human rights must apply universally. We stand in solidarity with political prisoners in Palestine and around the world.‘

UK farmer and Land Workers Alliance activist Edwin Gardiner said

‘We stand with Palestinian farmers in our shared struggle for food sovereignty. We stand with the over 9000 Palestinian prisoners held by the Isaeli state. We stand with Amu and those in the UK imprisoned for defending human rights, and demand the UK government ends its participation in illegal occupation and violation of international law.’

UK farm worker and campaigner Imi Bell, who was also in attendance, said

‘The Israeli arms lobby cannot be allowed to decide the UK governments’ response to Palestinian solidarity.’

Deputation Recording and Images:
https://www.cetim.ch/wp-content/uploads/video_nida.mp4
https://www.cetim.ch/wp-content/uploads/Photo-Mar-17-2026-15-22-48.jpg
https://www.cetim.ch/wp-content/uploads/Photo-Mar-17-2026-15-22-19.jpg

Contact:
Nida Jafri, freebrizenorton5@proton.me, +447832883650
Raffaele Morgantini, Representative of CETIM to the UN, raffaele@cetim.ch, +41796606514