IHRC is demanding an immediate change in policing policy after the disproportionate arrest of a political activist at Heathrow airport in London for allegedly wearing a top featuring the flag of Palestine.
In the incident which occurred on 21 April 2025 the individual was detained, handcuffed, and searched by three heavily armed police officers for allegedly wearing a jumper depicting a map of historic Palestine shaded with keffiyeh patterns.
A video showing the arrest has gone viral in which the man is told by an officer that he is being detained under section 43 of the Firearms Act.
When the man asks if his attire is a grounds for suspicion another officer replies, “…it can be deemed suspicious to some people, yes. Potentially. Especially with what’s been going on at the moment and the current situation and affairs etc. Obviously, it caused enough suspicion for armed colleagues at the airport to call us to come and speak to yourself.”
Today, IHRC has written to the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Sir Mark Rowley, seeking an apology for the individual concerned and demanding that he issues guidance immediately to prevent similar incidents from recurring.
The letter states: “The keffiyeh pattern is a cultural symbol of Palestinian identity and heritage. Wearing such attire is a legitimate expression of identity and political opinion, protected under the right to freedom of expression as enshrined in the Human Rights Act 1998. Something your officers should be made aware of.”
This incident is the latest in a long series in which police have behaved heavy-handedly against pro-Palestine activists.
Last year IHRC raised concerns that policing has become increasingly politicised in response to government figures condemning and demonising protestors and activists and that the number of, and type of, arrests taking place attests to this surrender of operational independence. Protestors and activists have been arrested on the flimsiest of pretexts such as carrying banners or sporting headbands carrying Arabic script for exercising their democratic fundamental right to freedom of expression.
The full letter can be viewed here.
[ENDS]
For more information or comment please contact the Press Office on (+44) 208 904 0222 or (+44) 7958 522196 or email media@ihrc.org
——————————————————————————————
IHRC is an NGO in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.
Islamic Human Rights Commission
PO Box 598
Wembley
HA9 7XH
United Kingdom
Telephone (+44) 20 8904 4222
Email: info@ihrc.org
Web: www.ihrc.org
Twitter: @ihrc
