Abuse of power at demos
Protests in France: Council of Europe criticizes excessive police violence
03/24/2023 9:42 p.m
After human rights groups, judges and left-wing politicians, the Council of Europe is now also criticizing the massive use of police force in the pension protests in France. Above all, the breach of duty on the part of the officials is reprimanded.
The Council of Europe has criticized an “excessive use of force” by French police during protests against pension reforms. “Violent incidents have occurred, including some targeting the security forces,” said Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Dunja Mijatovic.
“But the sporadic acts of violence by some demonstrators, or other reprehensible acts by others during a protest, cannot justify the excessive use of force by state officials.”
Furthermore, these acts were not enough to deprive the peaceful demonstrators of their right to freedom of assembly. Mijatovic warned that it was the authorities’ task to “allow the effective exercise of these freedoms by protecting peaceful demonstrators and journalists reporting on these demonstrations” from police violence and violence by individuals in or on the fringes of the protest marches.
Massive protests over reform
In recent days, human rights groups, judges and left-wing politicians have accused the police of violence and arbitrary arrests during the protests. The reform has been causing massive protests for weeks, which have intensified in recent days. Among other things, the retirement age is to be gradually increased from 62 to 64 years.
The French Senate has already approved it. French President Emmanuel Macron is still waiting for the Constitutional Council to make a decision before implementing it. In a television interview, he said of the protests that they were the democratic right of citizens, but that he could not tolerate violence on the part of the demonstrators. He did not comment on police violence.
46 countries have belonged to the Council of Europe, which sees itself as the guardian of human rights, since Russia was excluded in March last year. The country organization based in Strasbourg is committed to democracy, human rights and the rule of law.