Overview

• Hamas has submitted a 106-page legal application challenging its designation as a terrorist organization in the UK under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).
• The group contends the ban unlawfully restricts free speech, protest rights, and political expression, while asserting it poses no threat to the UK.
• Hamas's legal team argues the broad definition of terrorism under UK law is applied inconsistently, encompassing actions by state militaries like the Israeli and British armed forces.
• The legal filing claims the proscription hinders efforts to achieve a peaceful political resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and criminalizes ordinary Palestinians in Gaza.
• Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has 90 days to respond; if rejected, Hamas may appeal further through judicial review mechanisms.