The Council of Europe’s Commissioner for Human Rights today urged countries facing waves of protest, some of which have been marred by violence, to protect the right to peaceful assembly. He also called on authorities to prioritise de-escalation in maintaining public order.
“I call on member states to protect the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and to ensure that the policing of demonstrations respects human rights,” Michael O'Flaherty said.
Large demonstrations were expected today in France, Albania, Italy and Spain, against a backdrop of youth mobilisation, concerns over purchasing power and governments’ unpopularity.
In several of these countries, protests in recent weeks have been marred by violence, while official responses have focused mainly on public-order issues.
Problematic for human rights
France imposed curfews and banned many of the demonstrations planned for today, while preparing a large-scale deployment of security forces, including the mobilisation of soldiers.
Italy also deployed soldiers. Far-right Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni approved a security decree that relaxes the rules on the detention of minors.
“Law enforcement should favour dialogue and de-escalation. It may be lawful for the police to intervene in response to looting and riots and to ensure people’s safety, but the use of force and deprivation of liberty must be governed by strict rules,” the Commissioner warned.
The use of force by law enforcement, he added, “should be strictly necessary, and allegations of human rights violations should be promptly investigated”.
Deprivation of liberty “must never be used to intimidate or deter a peaceful demonstration”, he said, also calling on authorities to take children’s age and vulnerability into account.
Michael O'Flaherty said that “resorting to military personnel to maintain order during demonstrations may prove problematic from a human rights perspective”. He also warned that acts of violence by certain individuals or groups do not justify arbitrary restrictions, blanket bans or the dispersal of an entire gathering.
The Council of Europe, based in Strasbourg, has 46 member states, which have signed the European Convention on Human Rights.
Source: CNA
