Legal challenge to end UK ban on HAMAS launched
London, UK. Wednesday 09 April 2025.
A legal application to remove the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) from the UK’s proscribed organisations list has been submitted to the Home Secretary today by London-based law firm, Riverway Law.
The application, made on behalf of Dr Mousa Abu Marzouk, the Head of International Relations and Legal Office of the Political Bureau of Hamas, seeks to challenge the designation of Hamas as a terrorist organisation in the UK. The 106page application has been informed by the expertise of 20 scholars hailing from a range of academic, journalistic, political and cultural backgrounds. Among the experts is former ad hoc judge of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), Professor John Dugard.
Fahad Ansari, Director of Riverway Law, said: “The application invites the Secretary of State to change course from Britain’s longstanding complicity in settler colonialism and apartheid dating back to the Balfour Declaration until the present-day genocide.”
Franck Magennis, Barrister at Garden Court Chambers, who has been instructed as counsel on the case, commented: “It is well established that dignity is the foundation of all systems of human rights law. Arguments about Palestinian dignity are central to this application and I look forward to seeing how the Home Secretary engages with them.”
Daniel Grütters, Barrister at One Pump Court Chambers, noted: “There is an urgent need for honest, intelligent, and nuanced conversations about the situation in Palestine. Regardless of your opinion on Hamas, a policy which has the effect of stifling discussion is unhelpful and acts as a substantial hurdle to reaching a long-term political settlement.”.