04/09/2020 (Agence Europe) – The Commission recalled, on 4 September, that peaceful demonstrations “are part of fundamental rights” and that, while police repression “is a competence of the Member States, the use of force must always remain proportionate”, said Christian Wigand, spokesman in charge of Justice. He was reacting to a number of demonstrations in Bulgaria against the regime, which is mired in corruption scandals. Asked about the violence against journalists in Bulgaria during these demonstrations, he said that journalists should be able to carry out their work “under the best possible conditions”. The Commission is “aware” of the situation and is “following it very closely”. (SP)