London, 28th January 2026

British Palestinian Committee Submission:
Independent Review of Public Order and Hate Crime Legislation January 2026

The British Palestinian Committee submitted a report to the Independent Review of Public Order and Hate Crime Legislation in England and Wales, chaired by Lord Macdonald of River Glaven KC, to test whether the law is working as intended.

The purpose of this call for input was to examine the statutory framework governing protest and hate crime, including primary and secondary legislation, how clear and effective existing offences and legal thresholds are, particularly for harassment, alarm or distress, and incitement to hatred, safeguards for freedom of expression and the right to protest, how the police, prosecutors and courts use the law in practice, including the role of guidance, training and oversight, and whether the overall framework strikes a fair and workable balance between rights to free speech and protest, and the need to prevent disorder and protect individuals and communities from intimidation and hate.

The British Palestinian Committee is an independent organisation of British Palestinians in leading or representative positions across major Palestine-related organisations and constituencies in the UK.

To read and download the full briefing, please click here.

For more information or media enquiries: info@britpalcommittee.co.uk