European Muslim NGOs Condemn State Repression of Palestine Activism at Global Conference

We, the undersigned, are a group of leading European Muslim NGOs in attendance of the OSCE Human Dimension Conference in Warsaw, the world's largest regional security intergovernmental organisation with 57 participating states, working to highlight and campaign against Islamophobia and state repression of Palestinian solidarity.

Since October 7th, 2023, there has been an undeniable increase in the suppression and criminalisation of forms of resistance to Israeli atrocities in Gaza, whether it be via boycotting, protesting, direct action, or showing solidarity with the Palestinian freedom struggle. 

The authoritarian infrastructure responsible for the criminalisation of pro-Palestinian activism we are experiencing today, is inextricably linked to over 20 years of War Terror laws and policies. 

Our representatives attending the OSCE have highlighted how in the past year, European states have increased their repression of pro-Palestine activism. This has included:
- Infringement on the freedom of assembly by banning or severely restricting protests, issuing fines, and the excessive use of violence by Police. 
- Infringement on the freedom of speech through banning slogans.
- Arresting and imprisoning pro-Palestine activists, as in the case of Elias d’Imzalène of France, Marieha Hussein and six staff members of CAGE International in the United Kingdom.,,
- Infringement on the rights to freedom of association through the dissolution and banning of organisations 
- Infringement on the right to privacy and family life through house raids.
- Infringement on the right to free movement and residence through house arrests or expulsions as in the case of Imam Ismail and Imam Ridouane of France.

This surveillance and subsequent rise in allegations against activist voices expose a worrying decline in the promotion and protection of human rights, affirmed by the OSCE as the "birthright of all human beings." Last year, our coalition raised at the OSCE conference an endemic of state-sponsored Islamophobia across Europe. This year, we note this has escalated significantly to become a broader state-sponsored repression of Muslims and pro-Palestine voices across the continent.  

We note the failure of global institutions to hold Israel to account for war crimes and genocide, underlying an inability at best, or complicity as with most European nations. 

The OSCE must enforce mechanisms to compel governments to adhere to international law otherwise it condemns itself as an inept institution. 

CAGE International
Perspectives Musulmanes (France)
INSAN (Sweden)
CAGE Austria
CEDA (Denmark)

Excerpts from statements given by representatives of the signatory European Muslim NGOs:

Amanj Aziz spokesperson for INSAN in Sweden stated:

“Sweden has cracked down on demonstrators, with leaders like Liberal Mats Persson shamelessly standing next to the Israeli flag and using the context of Islamophobia to support Israel. The Swedish Prime Minister, Ulf Kristersson, is pitting Jews against Muslims and last week explicitly said that anti-Semitism is worse than Islamophobia. This was after one of his political allies published racist cartoons of Muslims. This all while Sweden cracks down on Muslims organisations, such as the recent forced shut of the organisation Ibn Rushd.”

Elias d’Imzalène commented on French state-sponsored Islamophobia stating:

“France has become the spearhead of Islamophobia and discrimination in Europe.This year, to make sure it remains ahead of the game, any activist calling for a ceasefire in Gaza is being severely persecuted. The State seeks to silence their voice by any means necessary. By criminalising the condemnation of genocide and support for Palestine, France is demonstrating that it is not just an accomplice, but a party to the Islamophobic and anti-Palestinian genocide.”

Rayan Freschi speaking on the repression of Palestinian activism within France stated:

“Using the large and effective infrastructure of the State’s Islamophobia, expressions of support for Palestinians are silenced. Gatherings and protests were outlawed for months. Political expression remains policed, and Muslim voices in particular, continue to be criminalised by the State for their support of Palestine.”

Nehal Abdala in regards to state repression in Austria stated:

“Austria has harshly suppressed pro-Palestinian demonstrations, banning 13 gatherings and issuing 400 administrative reports and 70 police citations in just one month of the genocide… the Austrian government seeks to ban Dar al-Janub, a Palestine solidarity organisation. This action is based on a report from the government-funded Documentation Center for Political Islam, which surveils Muslims in Austria and justifies repression against Muslim activists and opposition groups.”

Shezana Hafiz speaking on the case of UK support of genocide and suppression of solidarity stated:

“The UK government has compromised civil liberties and judicial independence to support Israeli arms manufacturers, as revealed by leaks of secret meetings between government ministers, the Attorney General's office on behalf of the CPS with Elbit Systems aimed at suppressing pro-Palestine actionists from pal action. ”