NSW Premier’s crackdown on pro-Palestine protests condemned

The Human Rights Law Centre today condemned the NSW Police Minister and NSW Police for refusing to allow a planned protest to go ahead by members of the Palestinian community and their supporters. It further condemned the NSW Premier, Chris Minns, for his alarming comments indicating Palestinians would not be permitted to take to the streets again in the future. 

After the protest at the Sydney Opera House on Monday, a small number of people not known to the protest organisers chanted anti-Semitic slogans. The chants were violent, non-peaceful and potentially unlawful. The Human Rights Law Centre condemns anti-Semitism in the strongest terms, as have the protest organisers.  

The NSW Police and Government must protect the right of Palestinian people and their supporters to have their voices heard at a critical moment for their country and respond only to those who engage in unlawful actions. Any approach that demonises and punishes thousands of people for the actions of a few, is disproportionate and a breach of human rights.  

Requiring peaceful protesters to seek authorisation to protest, or face jail time and a $22,000 fine, is undemocratic and completely unjustified in Australia. Palestinian communities must not be criminalised in this crucial moment, while they raise awareness of what is happening in their home. 

Alice Drury, Acting Legal Director, Human Rights Law Centre: 

“The conflict unfolding between Israel and Palestine is a human rights catastrophe. The NSW government – and governments across the country – must not use this moment to demonise and criminalise pro-Palestine protesters, who are raising awareness of the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza. 

“Anti-Semitism must never be tolerated, and nor should the silencing of peaceful protesters who are deeply worried about the potential for full scale war.” 

Media contact:
Michelle Bennett, Engagement Director, 0419 100 519, michelle.bennett@hrlc.org.au