UN experts sound the alarm: police violence at pro-Palestine demonstrations!

UN experts sound the alarm: police violence at pro-Palestine demonstrations!

Recently, independent experts from the UN Human Rights Council shed light on the situation for pro-Palestine demonstrations in Germany, leading to a clear outcry. In their report they criticize the increasing police violence and the repeated bans on such protests. These developments not only make for alarming headlines, but also cast a dim light on the right to peaceful assembly, which should actually be sacrosanct in Germany. Loud daily news the experts, including Gina Romero, the Special Rapporteur on freedom of expression and assembly, called on the federal government to respect this fundamental principle.

But what exactly is happening on the streets? The media repeatedly reports riots and verbal attacks, so that the police were forced to ban several demonstrations. In many cases courts upheld these bans, while in others they were overturned. The Berlin police even did not document any calls for violence that appeared in the context of the demos, which does not make the situation any easier. The perpetrators who used violence against security forces as well as anti-Semitic statements represent a clear violation of the reasons for protest, some of which are geopolitical.

Suppression of solidarity

At the same time, reports of the criminalization of human rights defenders are becoming alarming. Active voices for Palestinians are silenced by arbitrary arrests like this RND shows. This situation is leading to a gradual erosion of freedom of expression: exclamations, items of clothing and symbols relating to Palestine have been carefully banned in many places, such as in Berlin schools. This is not only a step backwards for freedom of protest, but also a worrying signal for the discourse in the country.

Organizational and social conditions also appear to be deteriorating. Loud Amnesty academic freedom is threatened. Critical voices that oppose the policies of the Israeli and German governments are too often criminalized. It is also emphasized that freedom of expression must not be abused for anti-Semitic or inciting statements, but that space for a differentiated discussion is still absolutely necessary.

In this tense atmosphere, human rights organizations are calling for respect for all rights of assembly. The importance of protests as a means of expression and necessary social change is often overlooked. Banned rallies and violent interventions narrow the spaces for discourse and put a strain on social interaction.

The responsibility of the state authorities is clear: it is important to protect the rights to protest and non-discrimination for all people, without interfering with the freedom of individual expression. Especially in times of global conflict, discourse must provide space for grief, frustration and change in order to protect human rights.