On Friday 20 October, Amnesty International called for the right to demonstrate to be guaranteed after the authorities in several European Union Member States imposed restrictions on demonstrations in defence of Palestinian rights amid renewed tensions in the Middle East.
“In many European countries, the authorities are illegally restricting the right to demonstrate. The measures range from those targeting certain Palestinian songs, flags and signs, to those subjecting demonstrators to police brutality and arrests. In some cases, demonstrations have been banned outright”, criticised Esther Major in a press release.
In France, on Wednesday 18 October, the Council of State reiterated that “it is up to the prefects alone to assess whether there are grounds for banning a demonstration locally on the basis of the risk of disturbance to public order”. In his view, no ban can be based “only” on the telegram sent to them by the French Minister of the Interior, Gérald Darmanin, requesting such a ban, nor “solely on the fact that the demonstration aims to support the Palestinian population”.
Germany has also banned the vast majority of demonstrations in support of Palestine, notes Amnesty International.
In anticipation of the demonstrations planned for this weekend, the organisation is calling on the authorities in the Member States to facilitate everyone’s right to express themselves freely and peacefully. (Original version in French by Mathieu Bion)