LONDON, Saturday, August 5, 2023 (WAFA) – The Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) in Wales, the United Kingdom, has urged Senedd members to oppose a UK government bill which would take away the right of local authorities, public sector, local government pension funds and universities to make ethical choices about spending and investments, especially with respect to the situation in Palestine.
The Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) in Wales says the bill seeks to limit the ability of public authorities to make ethical choices, and that the bill’s main target is the Palestinian-led campaign for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS).
Speaking on behalf of the Welsh PSC groups, Betty Hunter, said: “The bill’s main target is the Palestinian-led campaign for boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS). Appallingly, Israel is given a unique status through a special clause in the bill that makes it the only state in the world permanently protected from divestment by a public body, no matter what it does to violate international law and human rights.”
According to PSC, the bill could also hit campaigns against deforestation, environmental pollution, and the exploitation of children and workers. “It is opposed by a wide coalition of some 70 organizations including trade unions, charities, NGOs, faith, climate justice, human rights, cultural, campaigning and solidarity organizations,” said the group in a statement.
Heledd Fychan, Plaid Cymru MS for the South Wales Central region, said: “The proposed bill shows the determination of this UK government to limit the ability of campaigners and public bodies to hold governments and institutions to account. Removing the right to boycott or disinvest poses a threat to freedom of expression and the ability to challenge non-ethical practices or ones that breach human rights wherever they may take place in the world.”
The UK Government has now started the ‘legislative consent motion’ process in relation to clauses 1 and 4 of the bill. A legislative consent motion is the means by which the Senedd and Scottish Parliament are asked to consent to the UK Parliament passing a law which impacts on a devolved matter.
The Scottish government has already decided to formally oppose the anti-boycott bill.
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