Defend Dissent: How UK Laws, Universities and Tech Curb Our Rights
Various matters of concern to rights in the UK
November 2026
Freedom of Expression in UK Universities
This is the latest in our reports on the human rights situation in the UK. There are many worries about a steady deterioration in these rights with successive governments tightening or restricting controls on assembly and the right to protest, the adoption of Palantir technologies in defence and the NHS (with reports that the firm is seeking access to patient records in GP practices) and threats to privacy with facial recognition being steadily applied.
In an overview of its recent report on freedom of expression in UK universities Amnesty UK concludes that many are adopting restrictive measures that unduly limit students’ and academics’ rights to organise, assemble and express political views, particularly in support of the human rights of Palestinians
Since October 2023, institutions have implemented responses that include prior authorisation for meetings and events, compelled no-protest undertakings, the use of civil injections, and disciplinary action. These measures are at odds with international human rights law and have a chilling effect on freedom of expression. Some appear to have been implemented in a discriminatory way. The cases featured in this report spotlight some of the most prestigious UK universities among others. They send a clear message to all students and academics that they could face sanctions if the speak out on Palestine or participate in protests.
This report makes recommendations to universities and others who have the power to reverse the trends seen on campus, and reassert the role of universities as places of open enquiry and learning. The report finds that external pressures from the Department for Education and Office for Students, along with shared security planning through networks such as Universities UK and the Association of University Chief Security Officers, have contributed to the suppression of freedom of expression since 2023.
Amnesty UK has launched a student-led Defend Dissent Campaign alongside the report to push universities to adopt the Defend Dissent Charter, which aims to protest peaceful protest and open enquiry on campus.
A joint investigation by Liberty Investigates and Al Jazeera has revealed that 13 British universities have discussed how to handle pro-Palestinian campus protests with the UK’s largest weapons manufacturer, including ramping up security at events and coordinating responses to criticism, among them the Universities of Manchester, Nottingham, Southampton, Birmingham, Strathclyde, Cranfield, Lancashire, Sheffield Hallam and Cardiff. Those which are considered ‘strategic partners’ by BAE Systems collectively receive up to £15 million a year from the company under long-term funding agreements.
Terrorism Arrests/Palestine Action
Recently released Home Office statistics show record numbers of terrorism related arrests in the year to June 2026. The total number of such arrests was 3,867 up from 234 in the previous year. The increase can be attributed to the proscription of Palestine Action and the large numbers of people who publicly declared their support for the group in the wake of that decision. 94% of all terrorism arrests that year were linked to this. At the date of reporting, only 704 results had resulted in a charge, including 634 linked to Palestine Action (Source: UK Human Rights Blog.)
This repression has been forcibly demonstrated by the recent refusal of entry to the UK of Swedish academic Andreas Malm, whose presence the Home Office considers ‘may not be conducive to the public good’. Malm, an environmental campaigner, supporter of Palestine (but not a member of Palestine Action) and a regular visitor to academic conferences in the UK, was due to share a talk with Huda Ammori, co-founder of Palestine Action. He says his entry ban is ‘scandalous’ and the UK Government should reconsider it.
The author Sally Rooney is now unable to enter the UK because of the threat of arrest, following her pledge to use proceeds from her works to support Palestine Action, while her publisher Faber could face criminal charges if it passes on to her proceeds from sales.
Palestine Action has received permission from the High Court to appeal once again against its ban, but only on the grounds of whether the Home Secretary applied her policy directly, not on human rights grounds. The intervention by Amnesty and Liberty was heard on 4th and 5th November.
Rights of Residence
The Home Office has now lifted the deportation order on Tony Hall, the second-generation Windrush immigrant whose prison sentence ended 25 years ago but who has been unable to start his new life with a deportation order hanging over him. He was deported to Barbados but was refused entry as he had lived in Britain since he was 12. He could neither work, get benefits, rent, nor access full NHS treatment and was living in limbo and on his family as a result.
Privacy
A recent Liberty poll found that 48% of people oppose scanning the faces of people walking in high streets and towns when there is no suspected imminent threat, while 41% supported it and 11% were unsure as to its use. The Met have confirmed that fixed live facial recognition will be put in place in December in the newly pedestrianised Oxford Street. The Government’s commitment to introduce a legal framework through the Police Reform Bill is not expected until the New Year.
(Proposed) Business, Human Rights and Environment Act
Major British supermarkets, including M&S, ASDA and Sainsbury’s, have now joined a campaign calling on the Government to introduce mandatory human rights and environmental due diligence for businesses in both their domestic and supply chains. Campaign concerns include the use of forced labour, working conditions and pollution, and it would require retailers to identify and prevent environmental and human rights harms. Currently many business standards are voluntary and the Modern Slavery Act 2015 is seen as significantly limited, The campaign is supported by the British Retail Consortium, the Ethical Trading Initiative and the Corporate Justice Coalition as well as trade unions, businesses and campaign groups. Its aim is ‘to transform corporate culture for the better’ and level the playing field for victims of abuses.
Palantir
Country-wide demonstrations against the use of Palantir in the NHS may be having some effect. The Financial Times reported in October that more than 20 NHS trusts have stopped using Palantir’s waiting list tools, and at least 16 NHS bodies have formally stated through Freedom of Information responses that they do not use Palantir’s Federated Data Platform at all. It is not clear whether these are new decisions or whether the Government may still renew the contract.
Demonstration in Southampton against Palantir. Photo: Salisbury Amnesty
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