ICJP Criticises Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley for Perceived Double Standards and Inappropriate Actions Amid Protests
London, 20th January 2025- ICJP expresses deep concern over recent statements and actions by Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley, following his speech at the Board of Deputies plenary. By engaging directly with representatives from one side of the Israel-Palestine conflict and failing to adequately address critical concerns raised by Palestinian advocates, Commissioner Rowley’s actions risk undermining public confidence in his impartiality and the Metropolitan Police’s commitment to fairness.
The complexities of managing large-scale demonstrations are no excuse for Commissioner Rowley’s alarming, selective engagement. His decision to attend a Board of Deputies plenary – where his remarks were met with applause – without comparable outreach to Palestinian and pro-Palestinian organisations raises serious concerns regarding perceived bias.
Such perceptions of imbalance have only been exacerbated by the Met’s recent handling of pro-Palestine protests. This past weekend alone, nearly eighty protesters were arrested, following what many have described as heavy-handed measures. The protest was led by individuals carrying flowers to commemorate the children of Gaza who had been killed.
Commissioner Rowley’s admission that the Met has “used conditions on protests more than we ever have done before” and introduced “sharper and stronger conditions” for recent demonstrations only compounds these concerns. This unprecedented escalation in measures raises serious questions about why such heavy-handed tactics are suddenly deemed necessary, especially when these actions appear to disproportionately target pro-Palestine demonstrations. If the existing legal framework has sufficed for other protests in the past, what specific rationale justifies this departure? These measures, while purportedly addressing community disruptions, risk being perceived as an attempt to suppress legitimate dissent and curtail democratic freedoms.
Public trust in the Commissioner is further eroded by the lack of acknowledgement of the broader context, including accountability for members of the British government and allegations of war crimes involving individuals potentially returning to the UK. The failure to address these grave matters reinforces the perception of a double standard and erodes confidence in the impartiality of the Metropolitan Police.
We urge Commissioner Rowley and the Metropolitan Police to:
- Engage Equitably: Ensure balanced consultations with all affected communities, including Palestinian and pro-Palestinian groups, to restore trust in policing impartiality.
- Justify Escalated Measures: Provide transparency on why previously unused conditions and tactics are now being deployed, including clear evidence of necessity and proportionality.
- Address Allegations of War Crimes: Take clear and transparent steps to investigate and act on concerns regarding individuals implicated in potential war crimes, irrespective of their national or ethnic affiliations.
- Protect Democratic Rights: Reaffirm the commitment to uphold the rights to freedom of assembly and expression while ensuring public safety in an even-handed manner.
Public institutions must remain above reproach, particularly in matters as sensitive as the Israel-Palestine conflict. The Metropolitan Police has a duty to serve all communities impartially, ensuring that its actions and statements do not exacerbate tensions or foster division.
We invite Commissioner Rowley to meet with Palestinian and pro-Palestinian groups to engage in an open and constructive dialogue about the concerns and challenges facing their communities. Such a meeting would provide an invaluable opportunity to address perceptions of bias, discuss the impact of recent policing decisions, and explore ways to ensure that all voices are heard and respected in the ongoing efforts to balance public safety with the right to peaceful protest. By fostering direct engagement with all affected parties, the Metropolitan Police can demonstrate a genuine commitment to impartiality, transparency, and community trust.
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
The International Centre of Justice for Palestinians is an independent organisation of lawyers, politicians and academics who support the rights of Palestinians and aim to protect their rights through the law.
For all press inquiries, please contact press@icjpalestine.com.