Record-breaking mass protester arrests in UK should ring alarm bells for terrorism law reform in NZ

12 August 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Record-breaking mass protester arrests in UK should ring alarm bells for terrorism law reform in NZ

Protesting on contentious political issues must not be equated to terrorism. News of the mass protester arrests from the UK in the weekend could set a dangerous precedent for New Zealand and was a tragic day for the history of free speech globally. Those reviewing NZ’s terrorism laws should pay careful attention, says Stephen Franks, Chair of the Free Speech Union.

“More than 500 people were arrested in the UK over the weekend for holding signs and wearing shirts. Their crime? Expressing support of Palestine Action, a designated terrorist group. Whether or not one agrees with the designation, the idea that peaceful political expression, however unpopular, can result in arrest is deeply troubling.

“Free speech is a safety valve, and protest is an essential democratic right. If you take this away, the pressure simply builds, and you lose the ability to identify what individuals stand for. The UK is sending an alarming message to the rest of the world and NZ’s lawmakers must pay attention. 

“Recent reports in NZ show our Ministry of Justice is considering reforming our terrorism laws that could potentially see political commentary and particular symbols fall within the law’s scope. But the UK shows us this is the wrong path and risks significantly curtailing our freedoms. Free speech enables groups and individuals to freely advertise what they believe, and for others to form their own views of them.

“Significant care went into preserving freedom of speech in Phil Goff’s time as Minister of Justice and Minister of Foreign Affairs when our terrorism laws were put in place in 2002. There is no need to follow UK’s footsteps now.

“New Zealand has already fought off dangerous ‘hate speech’ laws. With an average of 30 speech-related arrests made per day in the UK, it shows us the terrible position we could have been in if tens of thousands of Kiwis had not pushed back. But we must not become complacent now. 

“We call on our lawmakers to learn from this disturbing example of governmental overreach demonstrated in the UK over the weekend and reject any notion of mimicking it.”