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Christian anti-war protester wins in High Court

-30/07/05

Anti-war campaigner Brian Haw, who is an evangelical Christian, has won his personal High Court battle against a new law threatening to end his four-year, 24-hour protest war outside parliament, against the Iraq.

The court ruled that government legislation being brought in to control demonstrations within a mile of parliament did not apply to Mr Haw, because his presence predated the move ñ aimed specifically at him, and incorporated into the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act.

Over the past few months there have been demonstrations in favour of Mr Hawís right to stay and make his protest. In March 2005 a peace camp was established to mark the second anniversary of the invasion of Iraq.

But many MPs are personally irritated by what they have called the ìeyesoreî of Mr Hawís protest and the noise from his megaphone ñ which, he says, is justified because of the emergency situation in Iraq.

In the High Court, Lady Justice Smith allowed Brian Haw’s application for judicial review. She said the new law did not catch him because of a drafting error, adding: ìIf parliament wishes to criminalise any particular activity, it must do so in clear terms.î

It is now likely that the government will seek a further amendment to the act.

But Mr Hawís backers, who include a number of opposition MPs, anti-war activists and human rights proponents, say that parliament is abusing its privileges by using legislation to pursue a vendetta against a person they regard as an irritant, irrespective of the impact on free speech.

Mr Haw, who has been described as passionate but eccentric, has had to endure insults and assaults for his convictions, including a broken nose. He has previously successfully used the Human Rights Act to defend his non-stop protest.

Yesterday he was visited by Marwa Alkhairo, a 20-year-old Iraqi. Ms Alkhairo told the Guardian newspaper: ìI wanted to send photos backÖMy aunt and uncle in Iraq were killed in 2004. My cousin was killed this March. I want to show that someone here cares.î

This week, seven ëpeace taxí protestors in the UK, including a Quaker and others from different religious backgrounds, lost a ruling about their request to put the portion of their income tax that goes to military spending towards peaceful purposes instead.


Find books now:

Christian anti-war protester wins in High Court

-30/07/05

Anti-war campaigner Brian Haw, who is an evangelical Christian, has won his personal High Court battle against a new law threatening to end his four-year, 24-hour protest war outside parliament, against the Iraq.

The court ruled that government legislation being brought in to control demonstrations within a mile of parliament did not apply to Mr Haw, because his presence predated the move – aimed specifically at him, and incorporated into the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act.

Over the past few months there have been demonstrations in favour of Mr Haw’s right to stay and make his protest. In March 2005 a peace camp was established to mark the second anniversary of the invasion of Iraq.

But many MPs are personally irritated by what they have called the ‘eyesore’ of Mr Haw’s protest and the noise from his megaphone – which, he says, is justified because of the emergency situation in Iraq.

In the High Court, Lady Justice Smith allowed Brian Haw’s application for judicial review. She said the new law did not catch him because of a drafting error, adding: ‘If parliament wishes to criminalise any particular activity, it must do so in clear terms.’

It is now likely that the government will seek a further amendment to the act.

But Mr Haw’s backers, who include a number of opposition MPs, anti-war activists and human rights proponents, say that parliament is abusing its privileges by using legislation to pursue a vendetta against a person they regard as an irritant, irrespective of the impact on free speech.

Mr Haw, who has been described as passionate but eccentric, has had to endure insults and assaults for his convictions, including a broken nose. He has previously successfully used the Human Rights Act to defend his non-stop protest.

Yesterday he was visited by Marwa Alkhairo, a 20-year-old Iraqi. Ms Alkhairo told the Guardian newspaper: ‘I wanted to send photos backÖMy aunt and uncle in Iraq were killed in 2004. My cousin was killed this March. I want to show that someone here cares.’

This week, seven ëpeace tax’ protestors in the UK, including a Quaker and others from different religious backgrounds, lost a ruling about their request to put the portion of their income tax that goes to military spending towards peaceful purposes instead.