Council of Europe Commissioner Urges EU Countries to Protect the Right to Peaceful Protest

Brussels, October 24 (KUNA) -- Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Michael O’Flaherty called on Saturday on European Union member states to protect the right to peaceful assembly and ensure that police measures comply with human rights standards, amid ongoing protests across Europe in which young people and students are prominent among participants.

In a post on the X platform, O’Flaherty stated that acts of violence committed by some individuals or groups do not justify imposing arbitrary restrictions, blanket bans on protests, or the dispersal of entire gatherings, emphasizing the need to distinguish between those involved in violence and peaceful participants. He stressed that law enforcement agencies should prioritize dialogue and de-escalation, noting that while it is legitimate for police to intervene to address looting and rioting and to protect public safety, the use of force and deprivation of liberty must be subject to strict standards.

He underscored that any use of force must be lawful, proportionate, and limited to situations where it is strictly necessary, with immediate investigations into all allegations of excessive force. He also stressed that deprivation of liberty must not be based on arbitrary measures, must have a legal basis, and must not be used to intimidate or deter peaceful protesters from participating in demonstrations.

O’Flaherty called for taking into account the ages, circumstances, and level of risk exposure of children when dealing with them during protests, emphasizing that their detention should be a last resort, with guaranteed access to legal assistance.

These remarks come as France, Italy, and several other European countries witness student-led protests that have been accompanied by violence and clashes with police forces. (End) A.R.N. / R.J.