We protected the right to boycott!
We, as a collection of organisations, are delighted to announce that the Tory government’s toxic anti-boycott bill has been defeated – a major win for BDS campaigners.
This repressive piece of planned legislation was a major attack on democratic rights. It would have prevented public authorities, like local councils, local government pension funds or universities, from making ethical choices about spending or investment.
Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) was proud to convene and lead a broad coalition of more than 70 civil society organisations, made up of trade unions, charities, NGOs, faith, climate justice, human rights, and solidarity groups, in opposition to the bill.
Along with providing further information on the egregious bill itself, this website is now intended to act as legacy resource of various actions taken, and materials produced, by the coalition of organisations that built this successful campaign.
PSC’s statement on the defeat of the anti-boycott bill
PSC is delighted to announce that the government’s toxic anti-boycott bill has been defeated. This repressive piece of planned legislation was a major attack on democratic rights. It threatened to erode local democracy, restrict freedom of expression, and undermine campaigns for social and climate justice. It would have prevented public bodies – such as local councils, universities, and public-sector pension funds – from making ethical choices about spending and investment. The government’s stated goal was to shut down campaigns against Israel’s violations of Palestinian rights.
With the end of the present parliament, in advance of the general election, the anti-boycott bill will now not become law.
The government did not simply run out of time: it failed to get this draconian legislation through in the face of fierce opposition from all sides of the House of Commons and House of Lords. This hostility reflected the enormous pressure that was brought to bear on politicians.
PSC was proud to convene and lead a broad coalition of more than 70 civil society organisations, made up of trade unions, charities, NGOs, faith, climate justice, human rights, and solidarity groups, in opposition to the bill.
We would like to thank every organisation that signed the Right to Boycott statement and played an active part in our campaign; our friends in both Houses of Parliament who stood up with us for human rights and democratic principles; members of the Scottish Parliament, the Senedd in Wales, local councillors across Britain, and the Trades Union Congress, all of whom joined us in opposition to this anti-democratic measure.
We thank every single activist and member of the public who signed our petition, lobbied, or wrote to their MP, passed motions in their political party or trade union branch, and protested in the streets. This victory is thanks to all of you.
The defeat of the anti-boycott bill, which sought to shield Israel from democratic criticism over human rights abuses and violations of international law, is a major win for BDS campaigners. There is huge and growing pressure for public bodies, universities, and other institutions to cut financial ties with those who are complicit in Israel’s war crimes, genocidal violence, and other crimes against humanity. In conjunction with our Palestinian partners, we will now be ratcheting up our campaigning in support of these demands.
Ahead of that, join us on 8 June when we march again in London to demand an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and an end to the arms trade with Israel.
Civil society statement
This statement appears as it existed during the campaign.
As a group of civil society organisations made up of trade unions, charities, NGOs, faith, climate justice, human rights, cultural, campaigning, and solidarity organisations, we advocate for the right of public bodies to decide not to purchase or procure from, or invest in companies involved in human rights abuse, abuse of workers’ rights, destruction of our planet, or any other harmful or illegal acts. We therefore oppose the government’s proposed law to stop public bodies from taking such actions.
The government has indicated that a main intention of any legislation is to ensure that public bodies follow UK foreign policy in their purchasing, procurement, and investment decisions, particularly relating to Israel and Palestine. We are concerned that this would prevent public bodies from deciding not to invest in or procure from companies complicit in the violation of the rights of the Palestinian people. We affirm that it is the right of public bodies to do so, and in fact a responsibility to break ties with companies contributing to abuses of rights and violations of international law in occupied Palestine and anywhere else where such acts occur.
From bus boycotts against racial segregation to divestment from fossil fuel companies to arms embargoes against apartheid, boycott, divestment, and sanctions campaigns have been applied throughout history to put economic, cultural, or political pressure on a regime, institution, or company to force it to change abusive, discriminatory, or illegal policies. If passed, this law will stifle a wide range of campaigns concerned with the arms trade, climate justice, human rights, international law, and international solidarity with oppressed peoples struggling for justice. The proposed law presents a threat to freedom of expression, and the ability of public bodies and democratic institutions to spend, invest and trade ethically in line with international law and human rights.
We call on the UK government to immediately halt this bill, on opposition parties to oppose it and on civil society to mobilise in support of the right to boycott in the cause of justice.
Signatories
- Amos Trust
- Action for Southern Africa (ACTSA)
- Anti Apartheid Movement Archives Committee
- Artists for Palestine UK
- Artists Union England
- ASLEF Union
- Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union (BFAWU)
- British Committee for the Universities of Palestine (BRICUP)
- BRISMES Campaigns
- British Palestinian Committee (BPC)
- Campaign Against Arms Trade
- Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament
- Communication Workers Union (CWU)
- Cuba Solidarity Campaign
- Ethical Consumer Magazine
- Europal Forum
- European Legal Support Centre
- Fire Brigades Union (FBU)
- Free Speech on Israel
Additional signatories: Boycott Divest Zabludowicz; Boycott Turkey Campaign; Jewish Solidarity Action; Justice for Colombia; Shadow Worlds Investigations; The Big Ride for Palestine; Medact; International Transport Workers’ Federation; Statewatch; Liberal Democrat Friends of Palestine; Pax Christi England and Wales; Fuel Poverty Action; Agroecology Now!; Public Interest Law Centre; Fossil Free Pride;
- Amos Trust
- Action for Southern Africa (ACTSA)
- Anti Apartheid Movement Archives Committee
- Artists for Palestine UK
- Artists Union England
- ASLEF Union
- Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union (BFAWU)
- British Committee for the Universities of Palestine
- BRISMES Campaigns
- British Palestinian Council
- Campaign Against Arms Trade
- Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament
- Communication Workers Union (CWU)
- Cuba Solidarity Campaign
- Ethical Consumer Magazine
- Europal Forum
- European Legal Support Centre
- Fire Brigades Union (FBU)
- Friends of Birzeit University (FOBZU)
- Free Speech on Israel
- Friends of Al Aqsa
- Friends of the Earth (England, Wales and Northern Ireland)
- Friends of the Earth (Scotland)
- Global Justice Now
- Greenpeace UK
- Institute of Race Relations
- International Centre of Justice for Palestinians
- Israeli Committee against House Demolitions UK
- Jews for Justice for Palestinians (JJP)
- Labour and Palestine
- Liberty
- London Mining Network
- Makan
- Methodist Church in Britain
- Movement for the Abolition of War
- Muslim Association of Britain
- Na’amod: UK Jews Against the Occupation.
- National Education Union
- National Union of Students
- Netpol
- Palestine Solidarity Campaign
- Palestinian Forum in Britain (PFB)
- People and Planet
- Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS)
- Quaker Roots
- Quakers in Britain
- Rail, Maritime, and Transport Workers Union (RMT)
- Sabeel-Kairos UK
- Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign
- SOS-UK (NUS climate campaign)
- Stamp out Poverty
- Stop the War Coalition
- Transport Salaried Staffs Association Union (TSSA)
- UNISON
- Unite the Union
- United Reformed Church
- University and College Union (UCU)
- War on Want
- Western Sahara Campaign
Additional signatories: Boycott Divest Zabludowicz; Boycott Turkey Campaign; Jewish Solidarity Action; Jewish Voice for Labour; Justice for Colombia; Shadow World Investigations; The Big Ride for Palestine; Medact; International Transport Workers’ Federation; Statewatch; Liberal Democrat Friends of Palestine; Pax Christi England and Wales; Fuel Poverty Action; Agroecology Now!; Public Interest Law Centre; Fossil Free Pride;
- Friends of Birzeit University (FOBZU)
- Friends of Al Aqsa
- Friends of the Earth (England, Wales and Northern Ireland)
- Friends of the Earth (Scotland)
- Global Justice Now
- Greenpeace UK
- Institute of Race Relations
- International Centre of Justice for Palestinians
- Israeli Committee against House Demolitions UK
- Jews for Justice for Palestinians (JJP)
- Jewish Voice for Labour
- Labour and Palestine
- Liberty
- London Mining Network
- Makan
- Methodist Church in Britain
- Movement for the Abolition of War
- Muslim Association of Britain
- Na’amod: UK Jews Against the Occupation
- National Education Union
- National Union of Students
- Netpol
- Palestine Solidarity Campaign
- Palestinian Forum in Britain (PFB)
- People and Planet
- Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS)
- Quaker Roots
- Quakers in Britain
- Rail, Maritime, and Transport Workers Union (RMT)
- Sabeel-Kairos UK
- Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign
- SOS-UK (NUS climate campaign)
- Stamp out Poverty
- Stop the War Coalition
- Transport Salaried Staffs Association Union (TSSA)
- UNISON
- Unite the Union
- United Reformed Church
- University and College Union (UCU)
- War on Want
- Western Sahara Campaign UK
Introduction to the Bill
The government has tabled a bill that would ‘stop public bodies from making any boycott, divestment or sanctions decisions that aren’t in line with UK government foreign or economic trade policies’.
While the text of the legislation has not yet been published, government statements indicate that this would apply to institutions across the public sector, including but not limited to local councils.
This proposal is of great concern to many individuals and organisations campaigning on issues of social and climate justice, both in the UK and internationally, for the reasons outlined in the above statement.
Frequently asked questions
Why is the government introducing this legislation?
This proposal must be understood in the context of the current government bringing in some of the most repressive legislation we’ve seen in decades, such as the Policing Bill, the ‘Spy Cops’ Bill, the Nationality and Borders Bill, and the Overseas Operations Bill.
All of these laws and related policies have imposed limits on campaigners’ abilities to challenge the UK government and UK companies over illegal or unethical practices, and to participate in our fundamental rights to organise and to hold government and institutions to account.
Is this only happening in the UK?
No. At least 35 states in the US have passed similar laws, as has Germany, and similar legislation has been proposed in several other European countries.
Broadly speaking, many of these laws have targeted the Palestinian-led Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement which aims to pressure Israel to meet its obligations under international law in relation to justice for Palestinians.
Why are so many organisations from across society opposing this?
Such legislation would be completely anti-democratic, and a serious blow to our civil society. it risks blocking campaigners from seeking accountability, and from protesting when institutions and corporations are involved in violations of international law.
There are dozens of examples of similar laws in other countries being used to shut down campaigning for divestment from fossil fuels across the US, banning public bodies from procuring any services from companies who support divestment, or targeting campaigners opposed to gun and weapons manufacturers. This legislation leaves all groups campaigning for social, climate and international justice vulnerable to such government overreach in the UK.
Will this law affect my ability to boycott or make ethical investment decisions?
No! While some MP’s have made grandiose comments to the press suggesting that they will ‘outlaw Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions’, the proposed legislation is aimed at public bodies’ decision making. Nobody will be criminalised for the decisions they make as private citizens while shopping or investing money. Any limits on public bodies’ abilities to act in accordance with international law and ethical principles are extremely dangerous and must be fought, but we must not fall into the trap of furthering the ‘chilling effect’ by over-stating what the government can do.
Resources
Here are some useful resources used campaigning against this bill:
Resources for students
One of the targets of this legislation is student campaigners – students have used the tactics of boycotts and divestment for many years, from protests against Barclays for its involvement in apartheid South Africa in the 1980s to recent success of climate groups lobbying for divestment from fossil fuel companies.
It’s incredibly important that we share correct information on this legislation, as it’s likely that university administrators will over-interpret the law in an effort to be ‘risk averse’ and will try to crack down even on discussions about boycott, divestment and sanctions.